Friday, March 26, 2010

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup (copy cat)

I was so excited to find this. It tastes just like the real thing and sooo easy to make.

3 T. olive oil
1 small minced white onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut Italian green beans
1/2 stalk minced celery

4 cloves garlic
4 cups vegetable broth
2-15oz. cans red kidney beans, drained
2-15oz. cans great northern or small white beans, drained
1-14oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded carrots
2 T. minced parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup small shell pasta

Measure olive oil into a large pot and heat on medium.

Put the onions, celery, garlic, green beans, adn zucchini into the pot and asute for about 5 minutes or until the onions become see-through.

Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoew, beans, carrots, hot water and spices to the pot.

Bring to a boil and them reduce heat to a simmer for 20minutes.

Add the spinach leaves and the pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Serve with grated parmesan as garnish. Enjoy!!