Creamy Ham and Bean Soup - A Delicious Comfort Food Recipe

This comforting and flavorful creamy ham and bean soup is the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day. Made with tender ham, hearty white beans, and a creamy broth, it's a delicious and satisfying meal that is also gluten-free. Serve it with warm crusty bread for a complete and comforting dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked ham, diced
• 3 cups cooked white beans
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery stalks. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in the dried thyme and paprika, and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add the diced ham and cooked white beans to the pot. Stir well and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree about half of the soup until smooth. This will help thicken the soup and create a creamy texture.
6. Return the pureed soup back to the pot and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat through.
7. Serve the creamy ham and bean soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
8. Enjoy this comforting and delicious soup with warm crusty bread.

Interesting Facts