Country Pasta Minestrone Soup

Description:

A healthy, hearty and filling soup to satisfy your hunger even on the coldest winter night!

Ingredients:

• 49 oz. can of chicken broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini or navy) beans, drained
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 handfuls of Homemade Style Country Pasta
• Grated or sliced Parmesan Cheese to top
• Basil sprigs, garnish, optional

Instructions:

In a large stock pot, combine broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add Homemade Style Country Pasta.

In a saute pan, melt 3 Tbsp. of butter and add chopped carrots and zucchini. Saute for about 4 minutes then add celery and onion. Saute for another 2 minutes, add 2 cloves minced garlic and stir. Top with fresh chopped spinach. Let warm, then add entire vegetable mixture to the soup.

Continue soup at a rolling boil until pasta is cooked to your desired bite (total time for pasta to cook is around 18-20 minutes). Garnish with Parmesan cheese and basil sprigs. Serve with garlic toast.

Recipe adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/minestrone-soup-with-pasta-beans-and-vegetables-recipe.print.html