By Linda Gassenheimer
From Tribune News Service

My Italian friend invited me over for what she said was a new look at one of Italy’s most famous soups, Pasta Fagioli, or pasta and bean soup. She decided to add some ham to her recipe to make it a more filling supper. It was a great success. Here’s a quick version.

I use acini di pepe, a very small round pasta, for the soup. In Italy they use the last bits of pasta left from opened boxes — a great way to use leftover pasta.

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Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

Ingredients

Directions

Cut ham into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside. Add the beans, canned diced tomatoes with their liquid, celery, garlic, chicken broth and water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove the cover and add the pasta. Return soup to a boil and cook, uncovered, for about 8 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Add the ham, olive oil and basil and remove from the heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir well. Divide between two soup bowls and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 615 calories (21% from fat), 14.1 g fat (4.2 g saturated, 6.1 g monounsaturated), 33 mg cholesterol, 43.2 g protein, 74 g carbohydrates, 13.5 g fiber, 1,247 mg sodium.

Linda Gassenheimer is the author of over 30 cookbooks, including her newest, “The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook.” Listen to Linda on www.WDNA.org and all major podcast sites. Email her at Linda@DinnerInMinutes.com. Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC