Spinach Soup with Pasta

Enjoy a bowlful of great tasting good-for-you nutrition. Spinach contains carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus and is higher in protein than most vegetables.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
4 cups spinach, trimmed, washed, coarsely chopped
15 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable or chicken base
1 (14.5-ounce) can ready cut tomatoes with juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3/4 pound spaghetti broken into 2-inch pieces
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for accompaniment

Cooking Directions:

1. In Dutch oven, heat the oil and sauté the onions until translucent, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and basil and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add water, base, tomatoes, salt and pepper; bring mixture to a boil and add the spaghetti pieces. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is just tender (al dente).
3. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Makes 6 servings.