Alphabet Ham and Bean Soup

Categories: Main Dish, Pork, Soup

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 medium parsnip, peeled and grated
• 1 medium all-purpose potato, grated
• 5 1/2 cups beef stock or 5 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup diced ham
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leave (or 1/2 t. dried)
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup uncooked alphabet noodles
• 1 cup cooked cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup canned tomato puree or 1/2 cup tomato juice

Directions

1. Melt the butter or heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Stir in the vegetables; cover, and sweat the vegetables, stirring a few times, for 3 minutes.

3. Add in the stock, ham, thyme, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer, then cover and gently simmer the soup for 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the alphabet pasta; increase heat to med-high and continue to simmer the soup, partially covered, until the pasta is tender, 8-10 minutes.

5. When the pasta is tender, stir in the beans and tomato puree; simmer 5 more minutes before serving.

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