Feed your friends

Soup is an awesome dish to make when you need to feed a crowd. You can make it ahead of time and have it simmering on the stove when your friends arrive, freeing you to spend the time with them, instead of in the kitchen. If you need to double the recipe, it’s easy to do.  And it usually is fairly inexpensive to make.

This soup is filled with really healthy ingredients and the tortellini makes it hearty enough to serve as a main course. If you like Italian foods, you will really enjoy it.

Top it with a little parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread and a crisp Pinot Grigio. It easily converts to Vegan fare when you switch pasta for the tortellini.

Tortellini Soup with Spinach, White Beans and Red Peppers

Perfect Soup for Entertaining

1 onion, finely sliced
1 red pepper, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, thinly sliced
2 stalks of celery, sliced
1 leek, white and light green parts only, sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
3-5 tbsp. of olive oil, more if needed
4 cups of low sodium vegetable stock or broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian style stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can cannellini beans or small white beans
1 (14 ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
2 ½ cups of baby spinach
2 cups cheese tortellini
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp. parsley
1 tbsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
½ tsp. garlic powder 
Salt & pepper to taste

1)    In large kettle, heat olive oil on medium high heat. Add onion and cook a few minutes. Next add leek. Stir both together and cook about 5 minutes.

2)    Add carrot and celery. Then add red pepper and garlic. Stir fry together about 5 minutes.

3)    Add parsley, oregano, basil and garlic powder.

4)    Add stewed tomatoes, cannellini beans, artichoke hearts, vegetable stock, water and red wine vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.

5)    While soup is simmering, cook tortellini in separate pot, according to package directions.

6)    Drain tortellini and add it to the soup and stir. Add spinach just a few minutes before serving and stir.

7)    Top with parmesan cheese, if desired.

 

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