Bush'S Red, White And Bean Minestrone - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup Italian turkey sausage, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 cup chopped carrot
1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 ounces chopped canned tomatoes
5 cups chicken stock
15 1/2 ounces cannellini beans (with liquid)
16 ounces red kidney beans, drained
2 cups zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups Baby Spinach
1 cup cooked bow tie pasta
2 tablespoons pre-packaged pesto sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

Heat oil over medium heat in a medium saute pan. Add sauage, brown well.
Add tomato paste, cook 5 minutes till brown.
Add onions thru oregano. Cook till garlic is aromatic, about 5 minutes.
Pour into a 4 quart slow cooker. Add tomatoes and chicken stock.
Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or till vegetables are tender.
Stir in beans, zucchini, spinach, and pasta. Cook on high setting for 8 minutes or until beans and pasta are warmed thru and spinach has wilted.
Pour the soup into bowls. Top with pesto and parmesan cheese.