Creamy Ham and White Bean Tortellini Soup

There is soup with ham and beans. The following soup is Creamy Ham and Bean Soup. A 1000 times more wonderful option is Creamy Ham and Bean Soup with Tortellini. There is no better ham and bean soup than this one, which is cooked with ham, white beans, onions, carrots, celery, seasonings, and pillowy, cheesy tortellini. It is SO simple to make and will make you want to lick your bowl clean! never tasted so nice in thirty minutes!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup flour
6 cups low sodium chicken broth, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups cooked and cubed ham
1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and rained
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried thyme, ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
4 cups (1 pound) uncooked refrigerated cheese tortellini
2-3 cups half and half *
Garnish (optional)
fresh parsley
Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Melt butter in olive oil in Dutch oven/large soup pot over medium high heat. Add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook, while stirring, for 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour then cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes (it will be thick).
Turn heat to low and gradually stir in 5 1/2 cups chicken broth. Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and add to soup. Stir in ham, beans, Dijon mustard, bay leaves, bouillon and all remaining herbs and spices.
Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Add tortellini and boil for 1-2 minutes or until cooked al dente.
Stir in half and half, adding additional half and half or broth if desired for a less “chunky” soup and warm through.
Garnish individual servings with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

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