Pasta Fagioli

I know, I know, another soup. In my defense, it is winter so it is perfectly normal to crave hearty soups right? I was never a huge fan of Olive Garden...until we moved away from college to a little town that didn't have one. The next time I had that glorious bottomless soup and salad I became hooked. I'm not sure how I missed how delcious their soups are, but I have since made up for it by keeping my freezer stocked in the winter. Pasta Fagioli is a hearty brothy soup loaded with veggies and sausage (or meat of choice.) Alright here's what you need to get your kitchen smelling amazing, and your family satisfied:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ditalini pasta - set aside for later

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 lb italian sausage, ground turkey, or hamburger. I use sausage!

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 2 stalks celery chopped, optional

• 6 cups chicken broth, this makes is go further. If you want it thicker use 3 cups.

• 1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15-ounce) can sweet kernel corn, optional

Instructions:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, around 3-5 minutes. You will want the meat to crumble as it cooks, so stir often.

• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Stir in minced garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook until tender.

• Stir in broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, kidney and great northern beans, optional corn, and all spices. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to a simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Test with a fork.

• Cook noodles seperately while soup simmers.

In serving bowls add 1-2 serving spoon scoops of noodles.

• Pour soup over noodles and top with cheese!

#Roots #Recipes