Italian Style Bean Soup Mix - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Mix
1 3/4 cups dried great northern beans or 1 3/4 cups dried navy beans
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 vegetable bouillon cubes, unwrapped
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
Soup
5 -6 cups water
1 cup canned pasta sauce
8 ounces Baby Spinach
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper

Preparation

To made the mix: layer the beans in a 1 quart jar with tight-fitting lid.
Combine the onion, basil, bouillon cubes, parsley, garlic and pepper in a small food storage bag; close bag.
Place the seasoning bag over the beans, spreading out bag to cover beans; add pasta shells.
Close jar, cover top of jar with fabric; attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.
Attached directions to preparing soup to jar.
Soup:
Remove the pasta and seasoning packet from jar; set aside.
Place the beans in a large bowl; cover with water and soak for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
Drain beans; discarding the water.
Combine the soaked beans, water, pasta sauce and contents of seasoning packet in Dutch oven.
Bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat and simmer 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
Add the pasta and spinach; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Season to taste, serve with grated Parmesan cheese.