Sausage, Spinach, and White Bean Soup

This hearty soup serves 10-12 and is always welcome at a potluck dinner
​It even better the next day!  Make sure you have plenty for leftovers!

Sausage, Spinach,
​and White Bean Soup

Ingredients

+ ​4 cups dry great northern beans {or other white beans}
+ 10-12 cups water
+ 2 garlic cloves {smashed and peeled}
+ 3 bay leaves
+ 2 tablespoons olive oil

+ 4 cups baby spinach {6 ounce bag}

+ 1 lb. ground mild sausage

+ 1/3 cup olive oil
+ 6 garlic cloves {peeled and pressed - or chopped finely}
+ 3 teaspoons dried oregano
+ 1/4 cup tomato paste {half of a 6 oz. can}
+ sea salt and pepper


Directions
​
+ Rinse and drain beans.  Soak overnight in a large pot of water.

+ Rinse and drain beans again.  Add to large pot with 10-12 cups of water, the 2 smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Bring to a boil then simmer for about 1.5 hours - until beans are tender.

+ Fry sausage crumbles in separate pan until cooked through.  At the same time - in another separate pan - combine additional olive oil, pressed garlic, oregano and tomato paste and cook over low heat until olive oil takes on a red hue.

+ Add cooked sausage (and any fat in sausage pan), raw spinach and tomato paste mixture to pot of beans.  Combine well.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy!