Hearty Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Bean Meatball Soup

Ingredients

- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound meatballs
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 cups Tuscan kale, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 28 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 large potato, peeled and diced
- 15 ounces canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 ounces cavatelli pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. PT5M
5 minutes
Heat a large stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.

2. PT3M
3 minutes
Add butter and olive oil to the bacon fat. Once melted, add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 3 minutes. Remove meatballs and set aside.

3. PT5M
5 minutes
Add diced onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and chili flakes, cooking for an additional 1 minute.

4. PT2M
2 minutes
Sprinkle the fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and add the bay leaf. Stir well.

5. PT3M
3 minutes
Pour in the tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and chicken broth. Stir in the tomato paste until fully combined.

6. PT10M
10 minutes
Add the diced potato, cannellini beans, white kidney beans, and red kidney beans. Return the meatballs to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.

7. PT25M
25 minutes
Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot partially, and let the soup cook for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

8. PT8M
8 minutes
Add the cavatelli pasta and Tuscan kale to the soup. Cook uncovered until the pasta is al dente, approximately 8 minutes.

9. PT2M
2 minutes
Remove the bay leaf. Garnish with the cooked bacon and additional parsley before serving. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Total Time

PT1H3M
1 hour 3 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Tuscan soup, meatball soup, kale and bean soup, hearty dinner, Italian soup, comfort food, stovetop soup, cavatelli recipe, family meal, protein-rich soup

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

2,400 total calories

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