Bean with Bacon Soup

Store unopened cans in a cool, dry pantry. Once opened, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. Freezing is best done in an airtight container, leaving some headspace for expansion.

Enhance the flavor by adding a bay leaf or a sprig of thyme while simmering.

Serve with crusty bread for dipping, or a dollop of sour cream.

For a richer soup, sauté some onions and garlic before adding the canned soup.

Crusty bread or garlic bread

Simple green salad with a vinaigrette

Grilled cheese sandwich

Not checking the sodium content of canned versions; rinse beans if reducing sodium intake.

Overcooking the soup, which can make the beans mushy.