Pasta Fagioli

My youngest son recently turned 17 and it is in his honor that I am posting this recipe. It is his very most favorite soup and the dish he requested for his birthday meal this year. It is hearty, delicious and simple to make. If you give it a try, I guarantee it'll be a family favorite in your house too!

Ingredients:

1 Pound of ground Italian sausage

3 Large carrots, chopped

3 Celery stalks, chopped ( including the leaves)

1 Onion, diced

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 Teaspoon oregano

1/2 Teaspoon red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

28 Ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes

Parmesan rind *

15 Ounce can cannellini beans

4 1/2 Cups chicken brot, divided

1 Cup water

6 Ounces of tiny pasta

2 Cups fresh baby spinach

Freshly grated parmesan and fresh herbs of choice to top soup ( I've used chopped parsley, cilantro, green onions, basil, or even a combo of these)

Directions:

• In a large pot over a medium temperature heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil.

• Add 1 pound of ground Italian sausage.

• Sauté until lightly browned

• Add carrots, celery stalks, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

• Sauté for a five minutes then add can of tomatoes that have been roughly chopped, also add any juice in the can.

• Add a Parmesan rind, 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth and cannellini beans that have been drained and rinsed.

• Bring to a boil

• Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.

• Add 3 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of water.

• Return to boil and add pasta.

• Simmer over a medium-low heat for an additional 10 minutes or until pasta and veggies are softened.

• Remove from heat.

• Remove parmesan rind if it didn't dissolve ( Mine Usually does)

• Add in spinach. Stir in until wilted.

• Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan and your favorite fresh herbs

* If you don't have a parmesan rind you can substitute 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan, but it needs to be fresh not the stuff in the green can. That cheese product is combined with wood pulp which impacts its ability to dissolve, as well as changes the texture of the dish it is added to. I never recommend using this product when cooking. It is easy to grind up your own parmesan if you have a high quality blender. You can actually pop a chunk right in and turn it on high. It'll finely grind it in seconds.