Hearty Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons margarine
• 0.75 cup chopped onion
• 0.5 cup chopped carrots
• 0.25 cup chopped celery
• 1 (32 ounce) container chicken broth
• 1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1.5 cups cubed potatoes
• 0.5 cup shredded cabbage
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup elbow macaroni
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Melt margarine in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, parsley, tomato paste, garlic, and salt; bring to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 1 hour. Add pasta and simmer for 30 minutes more. Adjust seasoning as needed.
3. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.