Tuscan Sausage And Bean Soup

Total Time: 12 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 12 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 1/4 cups dry great northern beans
• 1 3/4 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon dried italian seasoning, crushed
• 16 ounces fresh italian sausages, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 medium summer squash or 1 medium zucchini, sliced (about 2 cups)
• 1 (15 ounce) can italian-style tomatoes, cut up,and undrained
• 1/3 cup dry red wine or 1/3 cup water
• 5 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Recipe

• 1 rinse beans. combine beans and cold water in a dutch oven and boil uncovered for 15 minutes. drain.
• 2 meanwhile, in a medium skillet brown the italian sausage. drain on paper towels.
• 3 combine the drained beans, 4 cups fresh water, beef broth, onion, garlic, italian seasoning, italian sausage, squash or zucchini, undrained tomatoes, and red wine or water in a 4 qt. crockpot.
• 4 cook, covered, on low heat for 10 to 12 hours, or until beans are tender.
• 5 just before serving, stir the spinach into soup.
• 6 sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese (opt.) serve immediately.