Spinach, Bean & Pasta Soup

Name: Spinach, Bean & Pasta Soup
Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped; 1 fresh hot or mild Italian sausage or chorizo sausage (optional); 2 cups (500 mL) water; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; ¾ to 1 cup (185 to 250 mL) dry fusilli or other small pasta; ¾ to 1 cup (185 to 250 mL) dry fusilli or other small pasta; 14 oz (398 mL) can tomato sauce (any kind of pasta sauce works well) or diced tomatoes; 14 oz (398 mL) can tomato sauce (any kind of pasta sauce works well) or diced tomatoes; 3 cups (750 mL) chicken or vegetable stock; 14 oz (398 mL) can tomato sauce (any kind of pasta sauce works well) or diced tomatoes; 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano or basil; 3 cups (750 mL) chicken or vegetable stock; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano or basil; A few big handfuls of spinach, torn or coarsely chopped; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups (500 mL) cooked white or red kidney beans, or a 19 oz (540 mL) can, rinsed and drained; 2 cups (500 mL) cooked white or red kidney beans, or a 19 oz (540 mL) can, rinsed and drained; Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving; 1 fresh hot or mild Italian sausage or chorizo sausage (optional); 1 fresh hot or mild Italian sausage or chorizo sausage (optional); Canola or olive oil, for cooking; Canola or olive oil, for cooking

Preparation info

Serves
4 to 6

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Spilling The Beans

By Julie Van Rosendaal and Sue Duncan

Published 2011

About

This wonderful, hearty soup is a meal in itself—the combination of beans and pasta produces a complete protein. Omit the sausage for an equally delicious vegetarian soup. Either way, make sure you serve it with a loaf of fresh crusty bread to mop up the broth.

Ingredients

Canola or olive oil, for cooking
1 fresh hot or mild Italian sausage or chorizo sausage (optional)
1

Soup
Vegetarian

Method

In a large saucepan set over medium heat, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until soft.

Add the water, pasta, tomato sauce, stock, oregano, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the spina