Italian White Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, peeled and diced carrot
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed canned white beans
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon or to taste salt
• 1/2 teaspoon or to taste black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (optional) lemon juice
• 1/2 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese
• 1 loaf, for serving (optional) crusty bread