Hearty Bean and Pasta Soup
Why I Love This Recipe
This is a recipe from my MIL. I normally am an anti-vegetable kind of person, but this is really really tasty.
Ingredients You'll Need
3 T olive oil
1/4 cup chopped carrots (approx 1 carrot)
1/4 cup chopped celery (approx 1 stalk)
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
16 oz can diced tomatoes (I use petite cut)
16 oz white kidney beans (aka cannellini beans)
4 cups chicken broth
dash of pepper
1 1/4 cup uncooked macaroni (we used barilla plus macaroni for extra healthiness ;) )
Directions
In a large pot, saute carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in oil over a low heat until onions are translucent and carrots are almost cooked.
Add tomatoes and immer uncovered until 1/2 of tomato liquid evaporates
Add pepper, beans and broth. Simmer covered for 15 minutes
Mash soup with a potato masher (we tried with other kitchen implements and finally gave in and bought the masher--much easier!)
Bring to a boil and add macaroni. Cook for 5 minutes, then turn off heat.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Helpful hint: Don't cook pasta more than 5 minutes or it will get mushy. It finishes cooking in the 10 minutes of standing.
