Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Recipe by Suzy9725

INGREDIENTS 

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)

1⁄2 cup chopped zucchini

1⁄2 cup frozen cut Italian cut 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 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained

1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes

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 basil

1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme

3 cups hot water

4 cups fresh Baby Spinach

1⁄2 cup small shell pasta

To Make

DIRECTIONS

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

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

Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

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

Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.