Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup by Todd Wilbur

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
• 1/2 cup frozen cut Italian cut green beans
• 1/4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
• 4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note ( Do not use chicken broth!*)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
• 2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup carrot (julienned or shredded)
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups hot water
• 4 cups fresh Baby Spinach
• 1/2 cup small shell pasta