Sausage, Spinach & Bean Soup

Yum!! This soup is going to become one of your favorite weeknight winter meals. I think a lot of people are intimidated by soup but they shouldn't be. Not only is this soup healthy but it took only about 30 minutes to make, I used only 1 pot to cook it and most of the ingredients were things we already had in our fridge or pantry. Plus it made a ton so it's perfect for a big family or folks who enjoy freezing extras, I'm not sure it gets any better than this!!

Ingredients:

8 links Italian Sausage - Casings removed

9oz Spinach

2 15oz Cans White Beans - Drained & Rinsed

2 15oz Can Diced Tomatoes

1 Large Onion - Diced

4 Garlic Cloves - Minced

10 Baby Carrots - Sliced

3 Cartons /Quarts or 96oz Low Sodium Fat Free Chicken Broth

1lb Pasta - Cavatappi

10 Fresh Basil Leaves - Chopped

1 Tsp Olive Oil

S&P

Grated Parmesan Cheese for topping

Adapted from: http://feastonthecheap.net/

In your largest stock pot heat up the olive oil. Take your sausage out of its casing and brown it in the bottom of the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. While the sausage is browning you can prep your onion, carrots and garlic.

When your sausage is almost completely browned, add in all of your veggies. Salt and pepper everything allowing the veggies to soften and cook about 7 minutes. Stir the pot occasionally so that  nothing sticks.

Now it is time to dump in both cans of the diced tomatoes, the beans that have been drained and rinsed, the box of pasta and all 3 cartons of the chicken broth. Stir the pot a few times to mix everything up.

Add the fresh basil as well as another round of salt & pepper. Bring the entire pot to a boil, once it is boiling reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer about 7 minutes to cook the pasta.

A few minutes before serving pour all of the spinach into the pot. It will wilt into the soup as you stir it in. Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese. If you plan on making this ahead of time or having it as leftovers for more than one day keep some extra chicken stock on hand to add to your bowl as you reheat it as the pasta will continue to soak up the liquid the longer it sits.

Enjoy!!

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