Alphabet Soup

Description
This soup makes one of my 4-year-old's favorite meals. We like to use tri-color alphabet pasta. Any small pasta would work however.

The recipe is based on the pasta e fagioli recipe found in the "Saved by Soup" cookbook by Judith Barrett.

Ingredients

 * 1 onion, diced
 * 2-3 carrots, diced
 * 2 stalks celery, diced
 * 2 T. olive oil
 * 1 box chicken broth (about 4 cups)
 * 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (about 2-3 fresh tomatoes)
 * 1 can navy or canellini beans, drained and rinsed
 * 2/3 cup alphabet pasta
 * 1-2 T fresh oregano, basil, and parsley (optional, and to taste)

Directions

 * Heat olive oil in a large soup pot
 * Add onions, carrots and celery. Saute for a few minutes until they are softened.
 * Add chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
 * Add beans and pasta. Return to a boil and cook until pasta is done, about 10 minutes.
 * If desired, sprinkle with spices before serving and top with parmesan cheese.