Marie's Italian Sausage Soup

My friend Marie made this for a lunch recently and served it with Caesar salad and crusty French bread. It was fabulous!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  lbs Italian sausage, cooked and drained
• 3  carrots, peeled and shredded
• 1  onion, chopped
• 4  cloves garlic, crushed
• 3  quarts chicken broth
• 2 (12 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 (12 ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1  tablespoon dried basil
• 2  cups  cooked penne pasta
•  salt and pepper
•  chopped fresh spinach, to garnish
•  fresh grated parmesan cheese, to garnish
•  salt
•  pepper
• 2  cups  chopped  cooked chicken (optional)

Directions

1. Mix everything except pasta and garnish together in a large stock pot.
2. Bring to a boil and let simmer 15-60 minutes.
3. Add cooked pasta just before serving.
4. Top with garnish.