Minestrone with Endive & Pepperoni

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen (thawed) bell peppers, any color
• 5 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2/3 cup whole-wheat elbow noodles or other small pasta
• 1 pound frozen mixed soup (or stew) vegetables (including potatoes, carrots, celery, onion), thawed, chopped
• 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
• 1/2 cup diced pepperoni
• 3 cups lightly packed coarsely chopped curly endive or chard, tough stems removed
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add broth, oregano and thyme; bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions.
2. Add mixed soup (or stew) vegetables and lima beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil until the vegetables are almost tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, pepperoni and endive (or chard); return to a boil. Adjust the heat and simmer until the endive (or chard) is just tender, about 5 minutes. Season with pepper and garnish with Parmesan, if desired.


Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CAR325.