Ham and Bean Soup with Tomatoes
Rich, hearty, and delicious, this tomato-based Dutch Oven Ham and Bean Soup will be a family favorite and is a great way to use leftover ham.
Servings: 8
Calories: 364kcal
Equipment
- 5 quart Dutch Oven or larger
Ingredients
- 1 ham bone
- 1 cup celery diced, about 3 ribs
- 1 cup onions diced, about one small
- 1 cup carrots diced, about 3 large
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes with juices
- 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1½ teaspoon dried oregano 3 tablespoon fresh
- 1½ teaspoon dried thyme 6-8 sprigs fresh
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 15 oz tomato sauce 8 oz for lighter tomato flavor
- 4 cups ham diced or cubed
- 45 oz cannellini beans drained and rinsed (3 cans)
- 6 oz tomato paste OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Add the ham bone, vegetables, diced tomatoes, herbs/seasonings, and liquid (broth and water) to the Dutch oven.
- Boil for 20 minutes and then discard the ham bone.
- Add the tomato sauce and return to a low simmer.
- If using tomato paste to thicken, slowly add a tablespoon or so at a time until the broth reaches the desired thickness.
- Add the ham and bean and return to a low simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Do not skip the boil. The 20-minute boil with the ham bone extracts collagen and gelatin, giving the broth real body. A gentle simmer will not do the same thing.
- Taste before salting. Ham, canned broth, and canned tomatoes all carry sodium. You may not need any extra salt at all. Always taste first and adjust from there.
- Thicken with tomato paste gradually. Add a tablespoon at a time and stir until you reach the consistency you want. You can always add more, but you cannot take it out.
- Add beans last. Canned beans are already cooked. Simmering them too long makes them mushy. Five to ten minutes to heat through is all they need.
- Bouillon swap: Water plus Knorr chicken bouillon works just as well as boxed broth. This is actually what we use most of the time.
Nutrition
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1732mg | Potassium: 904mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3361IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 7mg
