When you want a bowl of warm comfort that feels both nourishing and indulgent, this Parmesan Tuscano Soup delivers. White beans, tomatoes, baby spinach, and savory herbs join in a rich, creamy broth infused with garlic and Parmesan. It’s slow cooked to meld flavors and finished with fresh greens for brightness. Here’s how to make it, plus tips, variations, serving ideas, and helpful answers to common questions.

Table of Contents
Ingredients & Prep Notes
Ingredient List
- 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste

Prep Tips to Get Started
- Rinse the white beans well — it helps reduce excess sodium or canning residue.
- Chop onion and garlic finely so they melt into the broth.
- Use a good quality broth (chicken or vegetable) — it’s the liquid base carrying all flavor.
- Grate your own Parmesan for freshness and flavor depth.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
1. Assemble in the Crockpot
- Add white beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, broth, Italian seasoning, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
- Give everything a gentle stir so ingredients are evenly distributed and submerged.
2. Slow Cook to Build Flavor
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours(or HIGH for ~3–4 hours) until the onions are tender and flavors have melded.
3. Finish with Greens & Cheese
- In the final 10 minutes, stir in the baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and allow spinach to wilt and cheese to melt, creating a creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or seasoning.
Tips, Variations & Serving Ideas
Tips for Best Texture & Flavor
Add spinach and Parmesan at the end to preserve color and avoid overcooking them. If the soup looks a bit thin, give it a brief high-heat burst or mash a few beans against the pot’s side to thicken naturally. Don’t over-stir after adding cheese — gentle folding is enough to combine.
Variations to Explore
- Swap baby spinach with kale or Swiss chard (chop finely). Adjust cooking time slightly.
- Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smokier flavor.
- Add cooked sausage, bacon bits, or cooked chicken for extra protein.
- For creamier texture, stir in a splash of cream or half-and-half near the end.
Serving & Pairing Ideas
This soup is delicious with crusty bread or garlic toast for dipping. A simple green salad or crisp side vegetable rounds it out well. For variety, alternate this lighter soup with more protein-forward recipes in your weekly rotation.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to loosen. You can also freeze portions — just thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Can I skip the slow cooking and make it on the stove?
Yes — after assembling ingredients, simmer gently on the stovetop for 20–30 minutes until flavors meld, then add spinach and Parmesan at the end.
Will the spinach get too soft?
It may if added too early. That’s why we add spinach near the end so it retains a bit of texture and doesn’t turn mushy.
Can I use a different bean instead of white beans?
You can try using cannellini, great northern, or even chickpeas, though textures and flavor will shift slightly.
Is this soup vegetarian?
Yes — if you use vegetable broth. Otherwise, with chicken broth, it’s a meatless-but-not-fully-vegetarian recipe.
Conclusion
This Parmesan Tuscano Soup is a cozy, wholesome bowl that brings together creamy beans, fresh greens, and savory tomatoes in perfect harmony. It’s easy to prepare, stores beautifully, and feels like a little taste of Italy at home.
If you enjoy cozy recipes like this, you’ll love our creamy Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder — it’s another slow-cooked classic perfect for chilly evenings.
Print
Parmesan Tuscano Soup
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Creamy Parmesan Tuscano soup with white beans, spinach, tomatoes, and Italian herbs — a hearty, slow-cooked bowl of comfort inspired by Tuscany.
Ingredients
2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups baby spinach
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Add beans, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, broth, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper (if using), salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
2. Stir ingredients together and cover.
3. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours until the flavors meld and the onions are tender.
4. Just before serving, stir in baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Let it cook for an additional 5–10 minutes until spinach is wilted and soup is creamy.
6. Serve hot with a slice of toasted bread or crusty baguette.
Notes
You can use vegetable broth to make this fully vegetarian.
Great for meal prep — store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Add a splash of cream for extra richness if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Parmesan tuscano soup, crockpot tuscan soup, white bean spinach soup