Mix And Match Pasta And Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 4 slices bacon, diced or 4 ounces bulk pork sausage, crumbled
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can vegetable beef soup (choose ONE ) or (10 1/2 ounce) can minestrone soup (choose ONE )
1 (10 1/2 ounce) soup can water
1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans, undrained
1/2 1/2 teaspoon oregano (choose ONE) or 1/2 teaspoon basil, crushed (choose ONE)
1 bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 1/2 cup ditalini (choose ONE) or 1/2 cup elbow macaroni (choose ONE)

Preparation

In 4 quart Dutch oven over medium heat, cook meat in oil until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add onion, celery, carrot and garlic; cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in soup, water, beans with their liquid, herb, bay leaf and pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover, simmer 15 minutes.
Stir in pasta; cook about 12 minutes more or until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaf.