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Italian Bean Soup Mix

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword bean soup mix, dried bean soup recipe, gift in a jar, italian soup mix in a jar
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Dried beans, herbs, bouillon, Parmesan and shell pasta layered in a jar with a gift tag. The soup simmers with pasta sauce and serves 8 to 10.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dried Great Northern or navy beans
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes unwrapped
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked medium shell pasta

Directions

Make the mix

  • Layer the ingredients in a jar, cone bag, or vacuum-seal bag.
  • Close it up and attach a tag with the cooking directions. Decorate however you like.

To use

  • Take the pasta, cheese, and seasoning packets out of the jar and set them aside.
  • Soak the beans for 6 to 8 hours or overnight (quick soak: boil for 2 minutes, then let stand covered for 1 hour). Drain and throw out the soaking water.
  • In a Dutch oven, combine the beans, water, pasta sauce, and the contents of the seasoning packet. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the beans are tender.
  • Add the pasta, plus the spinach if you are using it. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Season to taste and serve with the Parmesan.

Notes

Gift tag title: Italian-Style Bean Soup. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Add: 1 package soup mix; 5 to 6 cups water; 1 cup pasta sauce; 8 ounces baby spinach (optional); salt and pepper.
Variations: add 8 slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled, or one 15-ounce package frozen precooked Italian-style meatballs (not in sauce).

Nutrition

Serving: 75g | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 1.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 2.5mg | Sodium: 315mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 7.1g | Sugar: 2.7g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2.8mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, as cooked, 8 servings from the whole mix with 1 cup pasta sauce, 8 ounces baby spinach (optional); not counted (no amount given): salt and pepper; dried Great Northern or navy beans (the first choice counted), dried minced onion counted as dehydrated onion, uncooked medium shell pasta counted as dry pasta, pasta sauce counted as dry pasta. Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.