Shelly's Italian Beef and Bean Soup

• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (Oregano, Basil, Marjoram)
• 30 ounces beans (2 - 15oz cans, I used a combo of cannelini and a Tuscan Bean Medley)
• 3 cups beef stock
• 12 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 cup frozen spinach or 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 14 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled (or use Parmesan)

1. Brown ground beef and drain any fats.
2. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Saute onions in butter/oil and cook until golden about 10 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and Italian Seasonings and stir to coat the onions.
5. Let cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly so the seasonings will not burn.
6. Add the beef, beans, stock, tomato sauce, paste and spinach.
7. Add salt and pepper.
8. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer.
9. Simmer gently, about 1/2 hour.
10. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan.
11. Garnish with crumbled Ricotta Salata (note: this is not the ricotta used in lasagna it is a harder/salty cheese) or shaved Parmesan.

ground beef, olive oil, butter, onion, green onions, garlic, italian seasoning, beans, beef stock, tomato sauce, tomato paste, frozen spinach, salt, ground pepper, parmesan cheese, ricotta salata

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/shellys-italian-beef-and-bean-soup-391540 (may not work)