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Instant Pot Italian White Bean Soup

A flavorful and nourishing soup done in the Instant Pot. No need to pre-soak the beans means one less step to run under. Make it meaty using Italian sausage, or leave it out for a very tasty vegetarian soup. Plenty of grated Parmesan just before serving is the finishing touch. When considering total cooking time, remember that it will take a while for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before it kicks into cooking mode. 

Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
IP heating time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 6 - 8
Calories 250 kcal
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dried cannellini beans
  • 1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (it should have the rind and be at least a couple of ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 1 rib celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with the liquid
  • 8 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 links pre-cooked Italian sausage (optional if you want a vegetarian/vegan soup)
  • 1 large bunch kale, stemmed and roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Pick over beans to eliminate any little stones or debris. Cut the rind off the Parmesan cheese.
  2. Press “Saute” on the Instant Pot. When the pot is hot, add the olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery. Saute, stirring regularly, until the onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Hit “Cancel” on the Instant Pot.

  3. Add the cannellini beans, garlic, tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, bay leaf, oregano, fennel, thyme, and the rind of the Parmesan cheese. Put on the lid to the Instant Pot, be sure the valve is closed, and set it to  “Manual” (high pressure) for 1 hour.

  4. When the Instant Pot is done, leave it to release steam naturally for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully turn the steam valve and let the steam release.

  5. Open the lid and taste a couple of beans to make sure they are tender. (If not, cook on Manual for another 5 to 10 minutes and check again).

  6. When the soup is done, remove the Parmesan rind and bay leaf and discard. Add the kale, sausage, and salt and stir well. The hot broth will wilt the kale within about 5 minutes.

  7. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and pass the Parmesan cheese at the table to garnish.