This creamy cabbage white bean soup is a warm and cozy vegetarian meal. It’s easy to make, healthy and delicious!
I grew up eating bean soups so this recipe really transported me back to my childhood. By sautéing aromatic shallots, crisp celery, and carrots in a single pot before stirring in savory tomato paste, you build a deep, umami base that tastes like it spent hours simmering.

The addition of leafy cabbage and protein rich cannellini beans turns a simple vegetable broth into a hearty, satisfying stew that aligns perfectly with a vegetarian diet.

Despite its rich and velvety texture, this recipe is surprisingly healthy and low calorie. The “creaminess” actually comes from the starch of the cannellini beans breaking down slightly. Allowing you to skip heavy creams or thickeners without sacrificing that luxurious mouthfeel.

The best part of this dish is its simplicity; it’s a one-pot wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor. It is incredibly easy to make on a busy weeknight just chop, sauté, and simmer. This soup is a reliable staple that proves eating well doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming.

If you like this recipe, you will also love my Easy Beef Cabbage Soup or my Tuscan White Bean Sausage Soup.

Thank you for stopping by Hungry Happens! If you create this dish or any other from our site, we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment and rate the recipe! LOVE YOUR LIFE!

Creamy Cabbage White Bean Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 large shallot, diced small
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 large celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 4 cups (280 g) cabbage, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder + Italian herb blend
- 3/4 tsp paprika
- 4 cups (0.95 l) vegetable broth
- 30 oz (0.85 kg) cannellini beans, 2 cans drained + rinsed
- optional garnish: drizzle olive oil, chopped scallions, freshly grated parmesan + lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the shallot, carrots and celery for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste until all is well coated – about 1 minute. Next, stir in the cabbage and seasonings listed above. Then, pour in the broth and the beans. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes.
- Transfer about 1½ cups of the soup to a small blender and puree until smooth. Pour that back into the soup and stir to combine. Serve soup with chopped scallions, olive oil drizzle, grated parmesan and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- I prefer low sodium chicken broth in this recipe.
Thank you for this recipe! My husband and teenage son are Greek Orthodox. You are saving me during Great Lent since this has no dairy or meat. Thanks for a great recipe when I was running out of ideas for dinners and still have many weeks to go!
Hi April, I’m so glad this soup recipe works for your family! Thank you for your kind message 🇬🇷
Stella. This soup is so delicious made as is. i make homemade soup all the time and this flavour combination is fabulous. Cannelini beans make it so creamy and the veggies sauted and added in are the “bomb in a bowl” Our new favourite recipe. thank you Stella for creating and sharing your
Hi Donna – its my pleasure!
I’m so glad you love the soup and I appreciate your support here on my website!
I wouldn’t be able to share my recipes if it wasn’t for you <3
Thank you! I added an additional can of beans and some coconut cream!
Hi Dianna, that’s awesome – sounds delicious!
so very delicious
Hi Judith, I’m so glad you liked the soup!
This is so good!!! I added a finely diced Serrano pepper with veggies at beginning to add a little heat.
This is definitely a keeper/repeat recipe!
HI Ana, That’s awesome! I’m so glad you loved the soup!
This is so delicious. Made as written. . LOVED IT.
Hi Dee, that’s awesome – I’m so glad you loved the soup!
Another of your recipes to add to my arsenal, quick to put together from ingredients I had on hand. I’m home nursing a bad cold and your soup wa so good. I did sub sweet white onions for shallots, white northern beans for cannelloni beans and at the end added slices of Trader Joe’s Italian chicken sausages.
HI KellyAnne, I love to hear that! Thank you for the kind feedback and it sounds delish with the TJ sausage – I use those too!!
Excellent soup hitting all the right warm-meal craving notes! So simple and so yummy! Making it again for guests!
Hi Angela, I’m so glad you loved the soup recipe! Thanks for trying it!
Made this for the family (including mildly picky tweens) it was delicious and perfect for the cold LA night 😉
Hi Michelle, I’m so glad the soup was a winner with everyone!
Thanks for the kind feedback <3
Easy to prepare. Low calorie.
Yes it is!
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