Now that you have thoroughly enjoyed your Easter weekend and filled your bellies to the brim, whatcha gonna do with all that leftover ham? I mean, besides the typical ham and cheese sandwich? That’ll get old after the second day. I advocate this deliciously simple ham, spinach, and cannellini bean soup!
I like it because I can add fresh veggies, I use up all my leftovers, and I have plenty for my family’s dinner and lunch the next day. With the bold seasonings and robust flavors, my kids had no problem slurping up the handfuls of vegetables I threw in.
Why This Soup Works for Your Leftovers
This cannellini bean soup is not only a great way to use leftover ham but also provides a hearty meal packed with nutrients. Its blend of flavors, from Creole seasoning to fresh veggies, will make it a go-to option for busy weeknights or relaxed lunches.
Step 1: Prepare the Base of Your Soup
Pull out the Dutch oven and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Throw in 4 large diced carrots and a small diced onion. Sprinkle in a tablespoon of Creole seasoning in order to add some flavor. Sauté these two vegetables for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they are soft.
Step 2: Add Broth, Beans, and Ham
Add 46 oz of reduced-sodium chicken broth. I think it is important to use the reduced sodium version because I find the soup too salty with regular broth. Pour in a can of undrained cannellini beans (or Great Northern Beans) and 2 cups of diced ham. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough ham; just use whatever you have so it gets used up! Throw in a few bay leaves to soak in a little more flavor. Bring this mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Incorporate Fresh Spinach
Remove the bay leaves and add in 5 oz of fresh spinach. If you’re like me, you might prefer to take a few extra minutes to remove the stems from the spinach leaves, nobody wants those getting stuck in their teeth! The spinach will wilt quickly as it blends into the hot soup, adding a vibrant pop of green and a boost of nutrients to your dish. Trust me, this little step goes a long way in making every spoonful of the cannellini bean soup more enjoyable.
Step 4: Finish and Serve the Cannellini Bean Soup
As soon as the spinach has wilted, the soup is ready to serve! Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, look at all that chunky goodness! Ham and spinach soup is so comforting and yummy. I don’t usually eat a lot of soup in the hotter months, but I think I have a few more days in the 70s before the heat turns up. Side note: I am writing this with sunburnt shoulders…in shorts…with the air conditioner on. Am I too late? I hope not. As they say around these parts, “If you don’t like the weather in Knoxville, just wait a minute!”
A Recipe That Keeps on Giving
This ham, spinach, and cannellini bean soup fed my family for the evening, and I had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. I love recipes that feed us multiple times! One less thing for me to think about as one kid dumps an entire bottle of dish soap down the drain, another kid tries to “clean” the couch with wood polish, and the dog mangles and shreds the styrofoam sprinkle system for the garden my husband built last night. Sigh.
Yes. All those things happened. This is my crazy life! See why I need this comforting soup? I also need 13 Minute Almond Joy cookies for my sweet tooth after these kinds of days. I hope your day is less chaotic than mine. Happy cooking, y’all!
