Copy Cat- Minestrone Soup -Olive Garden Style

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup by Todd Wilbur

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons OLIVE OIL

1 cup minced WHITE ONION (about 1 small onion)

1/2 cup chopped ZUCHINNI

1/2 cup frozen cut italian GREEN BEANS

1/4 cup minced CELERY (about 1/2 stalk)

4 teaspoons minced GARLIC (about 4 cloves)

4 cups VEGETABLE BROTH (Swanson is good *note: Do not use chicken broth!*)

2 (15 ounce) cans RED KIDNEY BEANS, drained

2 (15 ounce) cans SMALL WHITE BEANS OR NORTHERN BEANS drained

1 (14 ounce) can DICED TOMATO

1/2 cup CARROT, julienned or shredded

2 tablespoons minced FRESH PARSLEY

1 1/2 teaspoons DRIED OREGANO

1 1/2 teaspoons SALT

1/2 teaspoon GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1/2 teaspoon DRIED BASEL

1/4 teaspoon DRIED THYME

3 cups HOT WATER

4 cups fresh BABY SPINASH

1/2 cup SMALL SHELL PASTA

Directions

1. 1

   Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.

2. 2

   Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.

3. 3

   Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.

4. 4

   Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

5. 5

   Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.

6. 6

   Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.
7. ****DELICIOUSOOOOOOOOO! I must be honest here, This is BETTER than Olive Garden's!!! **** Per Lucy