Ingredients

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 c. sundried tomatoes, finely chopped

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 c. short-grain brown rice, rinsed

4 c. low-sodium chicken broth or water, divided

2 (15.5-oz.) cans beans of your choice (such as butter beans and pink beans), rinsed and drained

1/2 c. pesto

Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Toasted pine nuts, for serving (optional)

Fresh herbs, for serving

Preparation

Step 1In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Add rice and stir until toasted, about 2 minutes.Step 2Add 2 cups broth and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and let cook until rice is al dente, 30 to 35 minutes.Step 3Return heat to medium and add beans and remaining broth. Stir to combine and continue cooking until slightly thickened and rice is completely tender, 12 to 15 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in pesto.Step 4Garnish with Parmesan, pine nuts, and herbs before serving.

When it comes to choosing your type of grain, I recommend going with a short-grain brown, especially of the “sticky” variety. These glutinous grains have a lightly sweet flavor and the rice retains its shape during a longer cook, resulting in a satisfying al dente bounce once tender. You could just as well use white rice, farro, barley, or even hominy: it’s a very flexible blueprint for a pot of hearty soup. You can go with store-bought pesto or make your own: we’ve got you covered with recipes for a classically green basil pesto or a rich, red tomato pesto. To keep your soup more eye-catchingly vibrant, reserve half the pesto for stirring in at the very end.  To serve, top your bowl with more cheese, toasty nuts, and fresh, fragrant herbs for an extra colorful and flavorful first bite.If you’ve made this recipe, be sure to drop us a note down below in the comments section to let us know how you tweaked it to make it yours!