Marie's Italian Sausage Soup

• 2 lbs Italian sausage, cooked and drained
• 3 carrots, peeled and shredded
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 quarts chicken broth
• 2 (12 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 (12 ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 cups cooked penne pasta
• salt and pepper
• chopped fresh spinach, to garnish
• fresh grated parmesan cheese, to garnish
• salt
• pepper
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (optional)

1. Mix everything except pasta and garnish together in a large stock pot.
2. Bring to a boil and let simmer 15-60 minutes.
3. Add cooked pasta just before serving.
4. Top with garnish.

italian sausage, carrots, onion, garlic, chicken broth, tomatoes, white beans, basil, pasta, salt, fresh spinach, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, chicken

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/maries-italian-sausage-soup-107380 (may not work)