Tomato, Garbanzo Bean, Pasta Soup

Healthy, hearty, vegetarian, tomato-based soup with garbanzo beans and pasta.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2  garlic cloves, diced
• 1  cup onion, diced
• 5  medium  ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
• 20  sprigs fresh cilantro
• 10  sprigs flat leaf parsley
• 2  teaspoons paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon saffron (optional)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
• 3⁄4 cup rotini pasta

Directions

1. Heat a large sauce pan or pot and add oil followed by garlic and onions. Saute for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Put tomatoes, tomato paste, cilantro, parsley, paprika, red pepper flakes, and saffron into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add tomato mixture to the pot along with 1/2 cup of water. Simmer for approximately 45 minutes.
4. Add drained chickpeas. Simmer for another 8 minutes.
5. Add rotini and simmer for about 12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to desired consistency.
6. Eat up and enjoy!