Easy Pasta Fagioli Soup

I got this recipe from Food Network's Giada de Laurentis.

you will need:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand)
• 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarian style)
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any other small pasta - I use Ditalini)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 
  

Directions:

Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Tortellini-Basil Soup

You will need:
-4 cups chicken brother (sub vegetable broth to make this one vegetarian)
-1 can Cannellini beans, drained
-1/2 cup shredded FRESH basil
-1/4 tsp salt
-2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
-1 (9 oz) package of any fresh cheese-filled tortellini, uncooked (I use DiGiorno mozzerella-garlic)
-1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
-2 tbspns balsamic vinegar
-2 cloves garlic

1. Sautee garlic in olive oil in the bottom of a pot large enough to cook the soup in.
2. Add broth and bring to a boil, then add tortellini and cook 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes and beans. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir basil, parmesan, salt, and vinegar together. Add to soup once it has been removed from heat.

Mixed Winter Vegetable Soup

You will need:
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 onion
-3 cloves garlic
-2 leeks (white part only)
-1-2 cups diced smoked turkey sausage (not as greasy as regular sausage, tastes better)
-one 32 oz container of chicken broth
-one can diced tomatoes
-2 medium parsnips (or carrots) peeled and diced
-1/2 sweet potato peeled and diced

1. Sautee onion, garlic, leeks, parsnips, and sweet potato in olive oil until softened.
2. Add sausage, sautee for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add chicken broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil, and reduce heat and simmer for at least 45 minutes or more.