Hearty Minestrone Soup – Olive Tree KC

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons basil, dried
• 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 15 ounce can white kidney (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 bay leaves
• 1-2 Parmesan rinds (optional)
• 7-8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup small pasta soup shells, uncooked
• 4 large handfuls of spinach or kale, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional but delish)