Italian Style Bean Soup Mix

Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 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
• 5 -6 cups water
• 1 cup canned pasta sauce
• 8 ounces baby spinach
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• salt and pepper

Recipe

• 1 to made the mix: layer the beans in a 1 quart jar with tight-fitting lid.
• 2 combine the onion, basil, bouillon cubes, parsley, garlic and pepper in a small food storage bag; close bag.
• 3 place the seasoning bag over the beans, spreading out bag to cover beans; add pasta shells.
• 4 close jar, cover top of jar with fabric; attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.
• 5 attached directions to preparing soup to jar.
• 6 soup:.
• 7 remove the pasta and seasoning packet from jar; set aside.
• 8 place the beans in a large bowl; cover with water and soak for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
• 9 drain beans; discarding the water.
• 10 combine the soaked beans, water, pasta sauce and contents of seasoning packet in dutch oven.
• 11 bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat and simmer 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
• 12 add the pasta and spinach; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
• 13 season to taste, serve with grated parmesan cheese.