Description
Hearty lemon white bean orzo soup delivers Mediterranean comfort with its tangy, nourishing blend of creamy beans and bright citrus notes. Comfort meets simplicity in this quick, satisfying dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Zesty Lemon White Bean Orzo Soup
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) dry orzo
Base Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 small carrots, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
Seasonings and Additional Components:
- 2 tablespoons canned coconut milk or vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large lemon, juice and zest
- 0.25 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium heat, gently sautéing diced carrots, onions, and celery with a delicate sprinkle of salt until vegetables turn tender and translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable medley, then fold in white beans, creamy coconut milk, aromatic thyme, fiery pepper flakes, and robust Italian seasoning, stirring to harmonize the flavors.
- Pour in vegetable broth, adjust seasoning with additional salt, then nestle bay leaves and rosemary sprigs into the liquid. Gradually elevate the temperature until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer.
- Carefully scatter orzo into the bubbling soup, allowing it to cook for 8-10 minutes at a low boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Remove the pot from heat, brightening the soup with freshly squeezed lemon juice and vibrant lemon zest. Sprinkle chopped parsley for a final burst of color and freshness. Extract and discard bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Taste and fine-tune seasonings as desired.
Notes
- Customize Vegetable Texture Sauté vegetables until they’re slightly caramelized for deeper flavor complexity and enhanced sweetness.
- Balance Protein Levels Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and ensure a cleaner, lighter bean taste in the soup.
- Enhance Dairy-Free Creaminess Swap coconut milk with vegetable broth or cashew cream for a lighter version that maintains richness.
- Boost Herb Freshness Add fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs during cooking for more intense, aromatic herb infusion that elevates the overall soup profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg