White Bean and Ham Soup

This White Bean and Ham Soup is cozy, healthy, and delicious. It's packed with protein and healthy vegetables, and it's a great way to repurpose leftover ham into something new and wonderful!

📝 Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked ham (diced or pulled into bite-sized pieces)
• 5 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 4 cans cannellini beans (or any other white bean, drained)
• 2 stalks celery (sliced)
• 2 medium carrots (about 1 cup sliced)
• 1/2 cup onion (diced (about half of an onion))
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, add to taste after cooking)
• 1 ham bone (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a large stock pot or dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté the vegetables for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened a bit.
2. 2Add the broth, beans, ham, seasonings (except for salt), bay leaves, and ham bone if using, then stir to combine.
3. 3Bring the soup to a simmer, then cover and allow it to cook for 20-30 minutes.
4. 4Test if the soup is done by poking a carrot with a fork. If it's tender and the fork slides through easily, the soup is finished cooking. Then test for taste and add salt if needed!
5. 5Serve and enjoy!