Alphabet Soup

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 tbsp olive oil
 * 1 box chicken broth (about 4 cups)
 * 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (about 2-3 fresh tomatoes)
 * 1 can navy or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
 * ⅔ cup alphabet pasta
 * 1 – 2 tbsp fresh oregano, basil, and parsley (optional, and to taste)

Directions

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