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Warming 20 minute Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup. Kind of like creamy risotto, kind of like soup, and so DELICIOUS. This is wholesome but comforting and the easiest to make using just one pot and 20 minutes. It’s warm and creamy, swirled with basil pesto, and finished with parmesan and a pinch of black pepper. Doesn’t get simpler or more delicious.
Sometimes it’s the simplest of recipes that really do turn out the most delicious. And that’s definitely the case with today’s recipe. It’s perfect for this time of year when we’re still craving comfort food on these cold winter days, but also wanting something lighter. It also makes for a nice Valentine’s Day recipe too.
This is a great mix. Originally when I set out to make this I was thinking it would be more of a soup. And it is, but this is an ultra-creamy soup.
A bit of a cross between soup, creamy pasta, and rice stew. So just as you would expect, it’s delicious.
When my sister-in-law Lyndsie was in town over Christmas, she pretty much begged for a white bean soup. It’s one of her favorites and she said I never make anything with beans, which isn’t a lie. The family that’s here is not the biggest fan of beans. But I do love to experiment with them when Lynds and/or my cousins are in town.
Anyway, I never got around to making the soup over Christmas. But once I had this idea, I knew it would be delicious, Lyndsie fully agreed.
The details
With a 20 to 30 minute start to finish time, you can imagine the steps are pretty simple. First up, you only need one pot. No sauces, nothing extra, just one pot.
Start with olive oil, shallots, and garlic. To keep things simple, I just used smashed garlic cloves to infuse the oil. Then some butter goes in and then the orzo.
Any time I’m cooking with orzo, I love to toast it in butter before adding in any liquid. This just adds another layer of flavor as the butter cooks around the orzo.
Then comes the chicken broth or veggie broth, along with white beans, and kale. You could easily use spinach in place of kale. From here, simply simmer until the orzo is al dente and things are becoming very creamy.
Stir in the pesto and lots of parmesan and finish it off with lemon.
That’s it. Absolutely nothing fancy, but totally delicious.
For serving
I usually add a little fresh dill and black pepper, but parsley or basil work really well too.
Then, some crusty bread on the side is a must.
It’s different, but so, so good. And who couldn’t love such an easy Monday recipe? Especially after the Super Bowl. I feel like we need this today! Happy Valentine’s day!
Looking for other quick recipes? Here are my favorites:
Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower
One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese
Skillet Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice
Lastly, if you make this Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1331 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic, smashed
- red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can white beans
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 bunch kale, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup whole milk or canned full fat coconut milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, and chili flakes and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Drop in the butter, then stir in the orzo. Cook until golden, 1-3 minutes. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the beans and kale. Season with salt and pepper. If you have one, add a parmesan rind. Simmer 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente, stirring often. It should become very creamy.2. Stir in the pesto, milk, parmesan, and lemon, cook another few minutes until warmed through. 3. Divide the orzo and broth among bowls and add additional parmesan and black pepper. I like to add some fresh dill, parsley, or basil too!
Notes
Thickening: the orzo will soak up the broth over time. If eating leftover, add additional broth to thin. It should be creamy, but with just a touch of liquid.
This post was originally published on February 14, 2022
I made this tonight and added the white meat from a rotisserie chicken, it was amazing! Will definitely be making again soon!!
Hey Jodi,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Incredible!!! Made this recipe exactly as stated – my oh my, it’s comforting and perfectly flavorful!
Hey Meagan,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Made this tonight, didn’t change anything and it was so good and simple/fast????
Hey Jennifer,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
This soup… omg, so so good! Total keeper❤️
Hi Stacy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Delicious!!!!! We loved it and will for sure make it again!
Hey Jen,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
This dish was so delicious. I added just a half pound of ground turkey for some added protein and I didn’t have any kale so I added what I had, arugula, at the end to let it wilt before serving. My husband loved it. Thanks for another winner.
Hey Lora,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Can I sub the rice for orzo? Trying to unload my pantry. What if I cook the rice separately then add to soup to help with it soaking up all the broth?
Hey Elizabeth,
That would be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
So quick and delicious! I just love orzo in soups I added mushrooms to mine and just used basil instead of pesto, still fab!!
Hey Alanna,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Great recipe! Lots of flavor and it was easy to make for a weekday dinner. Since there are just two of us, I used 4 cups of broth to 1 cup orzo, with a full can of beans, and halved the other ingredients. Thought the consistency of the soup was just right. Thanks Tieghan!
Hey Natalie,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Made this tonight finally and it was delicious! I totally forgot to grab pesto at the store so subbed truffle cream that I had on hand instead. I added the bean liquid as well. I think I’ll always make it with the truffle cream because it was SO good! Happy to find another easy meatless meal with the increasing food costs! Kids all ate it too!
Hey Maria,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
I made this tonight and my toddler ate KALE. This is so good. I added chicken for extra protein. One request, I’d love to know how much one serving is cup wise! I’m assuming around 2 cups but it would be helpful. Love your stuff. Amazing.
Hey Chelsea,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! I would say 1 1/2 cups is a serving size. xxT
This was absolutely delish. If you didn’t like it, you didn’t get it. So, incredibly full of flavour. Think beans and pasta. How flavourless. You were able to punch the flavour to the nth degree. I keep frozen pesto from my garden in the freezer. I had all the components down to the knob of Parma that I keep in my freezer. I for sure will be making this again.
I’m the same with homemade pesto and pieces of parm rind in the freezer!
Hey Patricia,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
I made this except used rice instead of orzo. Still turned out delicious although I’m sure the orzo is better. Thanks for all the great recipes Tieghan!
Hey Hannah,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
So bland, not really a soup, extremely think from the get go. I enjoy your recipes but wouldn’t make this again.
Ours wasn’t bland in the least!
Hi Shawn,
Sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Each of us take one night a week to cook in my house (4 kids, 2 adults). My 13 year old made this tonight and it was simple excellence. LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog and cook books!
Delicious! Tons of flavor.
Hey Lisa,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Hey Kate,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! Thanks so much for your kind message:) xxT