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    Home » Recipes » Soups & Stews

    Italian Bean Soup (Ribollita)

    Published: Oct 14, 2018 · Modified: Sep 25, 2023 by Sally Cameron · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    6516 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This hearty Tuscan vegetable and bean soup called Ribollita is one of the most popular soup recipes on my site. So thick, it's more like a stew. After making it recently, I decided to update the post and simplify the recipe. So if you've never made Ribollita, now is the time. I've included options for grain-free, dairy-free and vegan eaters.

    A pot of ribollita soup ready to serve with a ladle in the pot.

    Siena, Italy, is an ancient medieval and historic marvel and where we fell in love with a famous Italian soup called Ribollita. A small unassuming restaurant close the lovely hotel we stayed in looked like just the spot for lunch.  How how could we resist a restaurant named for an Italian grandmother?

    Jump to:
    • What is Ribollita
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Recipe Instructions
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    A hillside in Siena, Italy.

    What is Ribollita

    We were seated at a small wooden table, watching as the cozy dining room quickly filled with local families. You’ll find a hearty vegetable soup called Ribollita everywhere in Tuscany. In English, Ribollita means “reboiled”, a way for thrifty Tuscan cooks to use leftover vegetables, bread and beans from the week. Thrifty for us, too.

    The entrance door to the Italian restaurant.
    An old stone street in Siena, Italy.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Don't let the long list scare you; a lot of it is vegetables. See the recipe card for measurements.

    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Prosciutto or pancetta
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Fennel bulb (white and green bulb with ribs and feathery fronds on top)
    • Italian herb blend
    • Salt
    • Ground black pepper
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Kale (get 1 bunch)
    • Canned cannellini beans
    • Low sodium chicken broth (preferably homemade)
    • Bread: gluten-free sourdough bread or other light bread
    • Canned diced tomatoes
    • Fresh basil leaves (skip if it's not available)
    • Optional garnish: grated Parmesan cheese 

    Substitutions and Variations

    Most of the recipes edits are obvious to fit your dietary preferences such as skipping the cheese for dairy-free, and using vegetable broth for vegans.

    • Omit the prosciutto for no meat
    • Can't find prosciutto, swap for pancetta
    • I use this gluten-free sourdough If you use regular sourdough the slices are much larger, so start with half the slices.
    • For grain-free, skip the bread cubes, it is just not as thick
    • If you have mixed dietary preferences in your home, you can use the crisped Prosciutto as a garnish instead of cooked in so each person can choose.
    Cooking vegetables for ribollita in a pot.

    Recipe Instructions

    There is a bit of prep work to making ribollita with chopping all of the vegetables, but think of it as great knife skills practice. You can do your prep ahead and cook when ready. Originally I used pancetta, but prosciutto is easier; use either.

    • Chop the meat and all of the vegetables. Drain and rinse the beans and open the tomatoes.
    • Brown the meat briefly will crisped, remove, then saute the vegetables.
    • Add kale, tomatoes, beans, broth and bread, then simmer until thickened.
    • Add the fresh basil before serving and enjoy ladled into shallow wide bowls and sprinkled with Parmesan.
    A pot of Italian soup called Ribollita in a gray pot with beans, veggies, and kale.

    Related Recipes

    For another hearty dish with lots of veggies and beans try this hearty vegetarian chili.

    📖 Recipe

    Ribollita in a gray pot.

    Italian Bean Soup (Ribollita)

    Sally Cameron
    This hearty, thick soup is filled with vegetables, beans and bread cubes that melt in to create a thick, stew-like consistency. Perfect for a cold day when you need something warming, and a great way to use up vegetables and bread in the Italian tradition. I started with a recipe from Ina Garten and adapted it to what we had in Italy. For a vegetarian or vegan version, use homemade vegetable broth and skip the pancetta or Prosciutto (or use it as a garnish). Leftovers are great and freeze well. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Soup
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 Yield 2 ½ quarts
    Calories 337 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large sop pot or Dutch oven (5 ½ qt)

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided use
    • 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped or pancetta
    • 1 large onion diced, 2 cups
    • 3-4 large cloves garlic chopped fine
    • 1 cup diced carrots 2 large
    • 1 cup diced celery 2-3 ribs
    • 1 cup diced fennel bulb 1 medium bulb
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried Italian herb blend
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 4 cups chopped kale 5-6 large leaves without center ribs
    • 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
    • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth preferably homemade
    • 4 slices gluten-free sourdough bread, cubed small crusts removed (1 ½ -2 cups)
    • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional

    Instructions
     

    • Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large heavy pot (5 ½ quarts) over medium heat. Add Prosciutto and cook until crisped, 4-5 minutes. Remove Prosciutto from the pot and set aside to be added back later.
    • Add the rest of the oil to the pot and add the onion. Cook until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add the carrots, celery and fennel and cook until tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the dried herbs, then stir in the kale, salt, and black and red pepper, cook 4-5 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, beans, broth and bread cubes.
      Turn heat up and bring soup to almost a boil, then put a lid on the pot and turn the heat to low. Add the Prosciutto back in and cook for another 15 minutes. Kale will be tender and bread cubes will melt into the soup. Remover lid, stir in basil, and serve. Ladle into bowls, top with Parmesan to serve if desired. 

    Notes

    Recipe Notes: This soup is even better the next day. I like it very thick as we had it in Italy. If you want a more brothy soup, add more broth. Leftovers freeze well. 
    To use dried beans start here: Soak ½ a pound of dried cannellini beans overnight in a large bowl or pot, covered with cold water to cover by several inches. Cover with plastic film or a lid and refrigerate overnight.  If you forgot to soak the beans overnight, use the quick soak method, below. 
    Quick Soak Bean Method: Rinse the beans in cold water, place them in a large, heavy pot (like a Le Creuset Dutch Oven) and cover with cold water by about 3″. Bring the beans to a boil and bowl for 2 minutes. Turn the heat off. Cover pot and remove from the heat. Allow beans to sit for an hour. The beans are ready to use as if they were soaked.
    To cook dried soaked beans: Drain the beans and place them in a large pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and continue simmering until beans are tender, about 15 minutes longer.  Timing will depend on how old the beans are. Set the beans aside in their liquid to cool.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 16gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 737mgPotassium: 669mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 8279IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 224mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura says

      January 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

      I’m making this soup right now! Can’t wait to taste. I’m a little confused about the prosciutto though as I don’t see where it comes back into the pot. I’ve added a diced zucchini and some Italian chicken sausage too.

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        January 29, 2019 at 2:37 pm

        Really? I'll check that out right away, thanks. Add it in towards the end to heat through. Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Patty says

      January 07, 2019 at 9:13 pm

      I’ve been making Ribollita (based on Ina Garten’s recipe) for the last few years, and it’s a favorite. I add the (optional) cabbage that her recipe calls for, and as with every recipe, I increase the amount of garlic! ☺️ I also include red and yellow bell pepper (and sometimes leeks) when sautéing the carrots, celery, etc.. In the last boil/simmer, I include Parmesan rinds, and instead of putting bread in to cook, I make a mess of croutons (sourdough garlic/jalapeño/cheese loaf from our farmer’s market!) and put them in the bottom of the bowl. Pour the soup on top of croutons, grate more cheese, drizzle with good olive oil—holy cow! I think I’ll try your fennel bulb next time.

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        January 08, 2019 at 2:12 pm

        Sounds delicious Patty. I sometimes do the Parmesan rinds too as it adds that "umami" flavor. Leeks, absolutely! Love them. Fun idea with the croutons!

        Reply
    3. Clarence wilson says

      May 26, 2018 at 5:29 am

      This recipe is absolutely delicious! I’m will make very soon coz of i love it, Thanks for sharinng

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:00 pm

        Hope you enjoy it Clarence! We just finished a big pot.

        Reply
    4. Sasha says

      March 20, 2018 at 5:27 am

      This soup is best for the winters and good for us also.

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:00 pm

        Totally agreed Sasha.

        Reply
    5. Brenda says

      September 22, 2014 at 4:21 am

      Today I'm buying the ingredients to make this. One question though...if freezing half and serving the other half over several days, should it add the bread cubes all at once, or when I am reheating the soup in small batches? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Sally says

        September 23, 2014 at 1:57 pm

        Hi Brenda. That is a good question! My first thought was to add them when you re-heat the soup, but that would kind of be a hassle and extra step when you just want a quick meal. So I froze some with the breadcrumbs in, then thawed and heated and it was great. No problem. Freeze it with the breadcrumbs in. They do melt away and disintegrate into the soup when cooking anyway. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    6. Heather says

      April 24, 2014 at 6:55 am

      Loved this soup and so did my family!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        October 16, 2018 at 10:04 pm

        Thanks Heather! So glad to hear that.

        Reply
    7. Gillian says

      February 24, 2014 at 8:50 am

      This recipe is absolutely delicious! I'm making it again today. Hubby loves it 🙂

      Reply
      • Sally says

        February 24, 2014 at 1:42 pm

        Love to hear that Gillian. Thanks for commenting back. Always makes me happy to know my recipes are helping people!

        Reply
    8. Christine says

      November 05, 2013 at 7:30 am

      FYI...of all the recipes I found for ribollita...yours is the best. However, I made a change of my own which you would probably love. I used Italian flavored chicken sausage and swisschard instead of kale and pancetta. I'm in love with this soup and have made it three times since September. It's a total winner!!!!

      Reply
      • Sally says

        November 05, 2013 at 9:42 am

        Thanks Christine! Excellent changes! Thanks for reporting back so everyone can try it this way. I love using chicken sausage and always have it in the fridge or freezer. Good job!

        Reply
    9. Chef Debbie of Yummy~issimo! says

      January 20, 2011 at 7:59 am

      This soup is fantastic! I typically look at recipes and change a lot of things but this is one that I made exactly as written and have shared (with Chef Sally's permission) on the radio. Thanks Chef Sally for always offering us great recipes that are easy to prepare, healthy and tasty!

      Reply
    10. Nan says

      January 18, 2011 at 8:24 am

      I think this soup looks so good! I've been making a fair number of soups this winter and think this ribollita should go into the line up.

      Beautiful photos of Italy!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Digi auto links says:
      09/07/2011 at 11:34 pm

      Awesome website...

      [...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]…...

      Reply
    2. Hearty Vegetable Winter Soup | chocolate & carrots says:
      02/08/2011 at 4:39 am

      [...] adapted from Sally Cameron [...]

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Sally, a classically trained chef (but you don't have to be!). My passion is cooking fresh healthy food and sharing it with others.

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