The Coziest Italian Chickpea Soup Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Some soups convert humble chickpeas into culinary magic, and this Italian chickpea soup stands as a testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary meals.

Rustic Mediterranean traditions shine through each spoonful, bringing warmth and depth to your dining experience.

Robust flavors dance between earthy legumes and vibrant herbs, creating a symphony of taste that feels both familiar and exciting.

Hearty vegetables and aromatic seasonings weave together, offering a comforting embrace reminiscent of traditional Italian kitchens.

Nutritious and satisfying, this soup represents more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of authentic cooking.

Remarkable in its simplicity yet complex in flavor, it connects you to generations of home cooks who understood true nourishment.

Why Italian Chickpea Soup Deserves a Spot in Your Routine

• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Bursting with hearty bacon, zesty Italian seasonings, and rich tomato base, this soup delivers a warm, satisfying taste explosion in every spoonful.
• Quick and Nutritious Powerhouse: Packed with protein-rich chickpeas, nutrient-dense spinach, and balanced macronutrients, this meal comes together in under 45 minutes for busy home cooks.
• Texture Adventure: Enjoy a delightful contrast between crispy bacon bits, tender chickpeas, soft wilted spinach, and silky broth that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor – this recipe uses a single pot, reducing dishes while creating a complete meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Ingredients You Need for Italian Chickpea Soup

• Bacon: Crispy, flavorful base that adds depth and richness to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid foundation for the soups flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that create a robust aromatic base.
• Red Pepper: Adds sweet and mild pepper flavor to the soup.
• Spinach: Fresh green that brings color, nutrients, and a slight earthy taste.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides acidity and texture to the soups liquid base.

• Chickpeas: Hearty protein-rich ingredient that adds substance and nutrition.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that brings classic Italian flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for those who enjoy a spicy kick.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding smooth flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated topping that adds sharp, salty notes to the soup.

How to Cook Italian Chickpea Soup with Ease

Step 1: Crisp The Bacon

Cook diced bacon in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and drain excess grease.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Diced red pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook while stirring frequently until vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.

Step 3: Combine Hearty Ingredients

• Diced tomatoes
• Chickpeas
• Cooked bacon

Mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Create Soup Consistency

Pour in chicken broth, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Increase heat to generate a gentle simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 5: Add Fresh Greens

Incorporate fresh spinach and cook until leaves wilt, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

Ladle soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve alongside warm Mozzarella Garlic Bread Dunkers for a complete meal.

Tips to Make Italian Chickpea Soup Taste Amazing

• Crisp Bacon Technique: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to ensure even crispiness without burning, which adds a perfect smoky flavor to the soup.
• Veggie Sauté Secret: Chop vegetables uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and maximize flavor development during the sautéing process.
• Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust salt and pepper gradually, allowing the flavors to meld together for a well-rounded soup profile.
• Spinach Wilting Trick: Add spinach at the end of cooking to preserve its bright green color and prevent overcooking, maintaining its fresh texture and nutritional value.
• Broth Depth Hack: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and allow the natural flavors of bacon, vegetables, and chickpeas to shine through.

Italian Chickpea Soup Pairing Ideas You’ll Love

• Crisp Wine Companion: Pair this hearty Italian chickpea soup with a crisp, light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino to cut through the rich bacon and balance the tomato's acidity.
• Rustic Bread Partner: Serve alongside crusty Italian bread or the suggested Mozzarella Garlic Bread Dunkers to soak up the flavorful broth and add textural contrast to the tender chickpeas and spinach.
• Herbaceous Side Salad: Complement the soup with a fresh arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, featuring shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts to enhance the Italian-inspired flavors and provide a bright, peppery counterpoint.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Cool down the soup's slight spiciness with a sparkling water infused with fresh basil or a light Italian-style pilsner beer that won't overpower the delicate soup's nuanced taste profile.

Delicious Variations on Italian Chickpea Soup

• Mediterranean Chickpea Fusion: Replace bacon with chorizo sausage and add diced zucchini for a Spanish-inspired version with deeper, spicier flavors.
• Vegetarian Green Powerhouse: Omit bacon, increase spinach quantity, and incorporate kale or Swiss chard for extra nutrients and a hearty plant-based protein boost.
• Creamy Tuscan Style: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end and garnish with fresh basil leaves, creating a rich and velvety texture that enhances the traditional Italian profile.
• Spicy Moroccan Herb Infusion: Swap Italian seasoning with ras el hanout spice blend, add preserved lemon, and top with fresh cilantro for a North African culinary adventure.

Storing and Reheating Italian Chickpea Soup Like a Pro

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness. Separate the spinach before storing to keep its crisp texture.
• Freezer Method: Carefully pour the soup (without spinach) into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Pro tip: Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add fresh spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.

Italian Chickpea Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian chickpea soup warms souls with rustic Mediterranean charm. Fragrant herbs and creamy legumes blend seamlessly, offering comforting spoons of pure Italian countryside goodness you’ll savor to the last drop.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins and Vegetables:

• 2 cans (14 ounces / 400 grams) chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 3 slices bacon (diced)
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 small diced onion
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 jarred roasted red pepper (diced)

Liquids and Broths:

• 2 cans (14 ounces / 400 grams) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Sea or kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• Mozzarella garlic bread (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon pieces in a generously sized soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crisp. Transfer the crunchy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
2. In the same pot, drizzle olive oil and introduce diced onions, minced garlic, chopped red pepper, Italian seasoning blend, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté the aromatic vegetables until they become translucent and tender, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Incorporate whole peeled diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, and previously cooked bacon into the vegetable mixture, ensuring thorough integration of ingredients.
4. Pour chicken broth into the pot, adding an additional salt and ground black pepper. Elevate the heat to initiate a gentle simmer, allowing the soup to develop deep flavors for 18-22 minutes while stirring intermittently.
5. Gently fold fresh baby spinach leaves into the simmering soup, allowing them to wilt and soften for 3-4 minutes.
6. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, generously garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and accompany with warm mozzarella garlic bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Bacon adds a smoky, rich flavor that elevates the entire soup’s depth and complexity.
• Crispy bacon pieces scattered throughout provide delightful textural contrast to soft chickpeas and tender spinach.
• Quick-cooking method ensures vegetables retain their vibrant colors and nutrient-packed goodness.
• Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top creates a salty, umami finish that complements the hearty soup base.
• Flexible recipe allows easy substitutions like vegetarian bacon or additional spices for personalized tastes.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld and develop intensely.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Simmering, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 13g
• Cholesterol: 10mg