Empty one can of drained and rinsed Great Northern beans into a large bowl or flat baking dish. Mash the beans with the back of a fork or a potato masher. Set aside.

Heat a large saucepan or stockpot over medium high heat while you chop the garlic, carrots, and onion.

Melt the butter into the pan and immediately add the chopped onion, and carrot. Once the onion has started to soften, add the garlic.

Let these sauté in butter until the onions are translucent and the carrots have started to soften. Make sure to move on to the next step before the garlic starts to brown.

When the veggies are ready, stir in water, ham, thyme, salt and pepper, and the whole and mashed Great Northern beans. Stir gently to combine – you want the non-mashed beans to retain their shape in the final soup.

Once the soup is simmering, ladle into dishes and call the crowd to the table!