Bush's Red, And Bean Minestrone

Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup italian turkey sausage, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 16 ounces chopped canned tomatoes
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 15 1/2 ounces cannellini beans (with liquid)
• 16 ounces red kidney beans, drained
• 2 cups zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup cooked bow tie pasta
• 2 tablespoons pre-packaged pesto sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil over medium heat in a medium saute pan. add sauage, brown well.
• 2 add tomato paste, cook 5 minutes till brown.
• 3 add onions thru oregano. cook till garlic is aromatic, about 5 minutes.
• 4 pour into a 4 quart slow cooker. add tomatoes and chicken stock.
• 5 cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or till vegetables are tender.
• 6 stir in beans, zucchini, spinach, and pasta. cook on high setting for 8 minutes or until beans and pasta are warmed thru and spinach has wilted.
• 7 pour the soup into bowls. top with pesto and parmesan cheese.