Soup

Tuscan bean soup

Servings: 6 people
Carbohydrate Serves: 2.5 per person
(1 carbohydrate serve = 15 grams of total carbohydrate)

You are going to love this soup if you are heading into winter. I cherish my original copy of this recipe – scribbles on the back of an envelope that survived numerous moves overseas and made it back home to Sydney. My mum taught me this dish and it characterizes her and my cooking style – flavoursome and easy. I can’t get enough if it in winter and after the chopping is done it’s a one pot soup that almost cooks itself. It is so full of flavour you won’t believe it’s gestational diabetes friendly. (Main carbohydrate containing ingredients are listed in bold.)

Ingredients

  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
    3 cloves garlic, crushed
    1 bunch fresh oregano, leaves and stems removed
    1 bunch fresh thyme leaves, stems removed
    1 bunch basil leaves, stems removed
    150g/ 5.2 ounces lean rindless bacon, chopped (optional)
    2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
    2 x 400g/ 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    8 cups salt reduced vegetable stock (or 4 cups beef and 4 cups chicken)
    1 x 400g/ 14 ounce can white beans (or red kidney or mixed beans) rinsed, drained
    2 cups cooked spaghetti, broken into medium sized pieces
    6 slices wholegrain or rye bread, toasted (1 slice per person)
    100g/ 3.5 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated to serve

Heat the oil in a large soup pot and cook onions on low-medium heat until translucent and soft.

Add garlic, herbs, bacon and celery and cook until the mixture starts to turn golden.

Add tomatoes and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.

Add the stock and bring to the boil. Add beans towards the end of this step so they heat through.

Divide the cooked spaghetti between each bowl then ladle over soup and top with grated parmesan.

Note: The leftovers are almost better than the fresh soup. Be sure to freeze a few portions in airtight containers for busy days.

Post GDM-suggestion: Slice a chorizo into thick coins and add at the last step when you are bringing soup to boil.

  • Alice Peel says:

    Yum! I am going to make this tonight! I don’t have GDM but do have polycystic ovaries so making sure I am eating healthily is very important – this website makes it so much easier. I have also shared this website with a friend who has pre diabetes and hoping to fall pregnant. She has been told she is at an increased risk of GDM. She adores food and cooking and is so excited that your website exists. It gives her a chance combine her passions with good healthy food. Thanks for putting something so important out there for others to share :)

  • Katie says:

    Your photos make me salivate but this one sent me to the shop with a list of ingredients! Really yummy, easy and comforting for this winterd day.

    • Lisa says:

      Thanks Katie (that’s really encouraging coming from a real photographer). Everyone check out Katie’s work here. I wonder, is photographing people is harder than food!?

  • Elaine says:

    I tried this and it is yum, especially with the chorizo!! Well done.

  • susan ross says:

    Hi Lisa, fab recipes. Admire what you are doing. good luck, Susan.

  • kay wilhelm says:

    I LOVE soup and thought the bean soup was great. Can you put up any more? Great for winter……
    I hope you site goes well, it seems GDM is fairly common and I will certainly pass this on. Cheers K

  • Kellie Howe says:

    needed some ideas for a winter soup, thank you!

    • Lisa says:

      Have you checked out the rest in the soup category? One of my current favourites is the Cauliflower, leek & fennel soup.

  • Madeline Bell says:

    lisa. I LOVE the website. you have my mouth watering. I’m not pregnant but i really try to eat healthy and i happen to have tried your ‘tuscan white bean soup’ with my own tastebuds and it is sooooooo yummy. I have already made it at home and my flatties enjoyed every mouthful. Cant wait to try your other receipes!

    • Lisa says:

      Hi Maddie! Thanks (I remember I think I even saw you sneaking back for a second bowl). Enjoy

  • Ainsley says:

    I loved this recipe! I cooked it for a house of 5, plus partners, who all LOVED it and licked every little bit from their bowls. Half of those are vegetarians, and it was really simple adding the bacon (and chorizo) at the end. This recipe is so easy to whip up too! Thank you for warming up our wintery home with the smell of tuscan bean soup!

  • Jane says:

    Made this soup for all my holiday guests, and it was a hit! Even my niece (age 6) and my nephew (age 4) gobbled it up! I cooked turkey smoked sausage on the side instead of chorizo so that folks could add it if they liked. This recipe has been added to the “keep” recipe book! Thank you for all the tasty feast options!

    • Lisa says:

      Hi Jane. Thanks for your lovely comment. And your addition of the smoked turkey sausage sounds delicious. Lisa x

Comments are currently closed on this post.

About

I’m Lisa Taylor, the mum behind GDRecipes. I created this site after having GDM myself & because I love food. I’d like to inspire, motivate & support you to cook & eat well during your pregnancy with GDM & beyond. Come read my story. My kitchen is your kitchen. ... Read more

  • Ingredient search

    Search for recipes by ingredient. Just type your ingredient into the homepage 'Search' box.
  • Getting started

    Getting started with GDM? Check out our 'Eating Well' section for tips on eating right & staying on track. Can you have your cake and eat it too? Find out.
  • First Testimonial

    'I know what you ate last summer...& it didn't give you GDM'. What are some of the myths about getting GDM? Find out in our article.
  • Second Tesimonial

    Don't forget to add your comments to recipes, articles & interviews. My kitchen is your kitchen. I want to hear your thoughts.