Chicken Tortilla Soup

It was freezing rain/snowing when I got home from school with the kids today. This soup was simmering in the crock pot and it was perfect! Adjust the level of spice to your family's taste. We had plain cheese quesadillas to go with this thick-ish soup.

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp italian seasoning
1-2 tsp cumin
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 c chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can corn
4 ounce can chopped green chile peppers
15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
rotisserie chicken, shredded

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in butter until soft. Stir in chili powder, italian seasoning, cumin, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in corn, chiles, and beans. Simmer for 10 minutes or place in crock pot for 2-5 hours on low. Top with crushes tortilla chips, avaocado slices, cheese and green onion.

Pasta e Fagioli

Olive Garden is famous for their soup, salad, and breadsticks lunches. My favorite is the pasta e fagioli and this recipe is almost exactly the same!

1 lb lean ground beef
1 c EACH diced carrot, onion, celery
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can great northern beans, undrained
2 15oz cans tomato sauce
1 can beef broth
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
8 oz small pasta

In large soup pot, brown beef with carrots, onion, and celery. Drain. Add remaining ingredients except pasta. Simmer 30 minutes. Cook pasta al dente. Add to soup and simmer another 7-9 minutes.

Tortellini and Sausage Soup

It's time to eat healthy again! After all the rich food and drink of the past 6 weeks, I am ready to eat like a rabbit. This is a great quick soup that is low in fat too. Perfect with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

8oz turkey or vegetarian sausage
9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
28 oz crushed tomatoes
14 oz diced tomatoes
2 medium zucchinis chopped
1 small onion chopped
1 red pepper chopped
4 beef bouillon cubes dissolved in 4 cups water

Microwave sausage and crumble. In a large soup pot, melt 1 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add zucchini, onion, and pepper. Saute until tender. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

WW Zero Point Veggie Soup

2/3c. sliced carrot
1/2c. diced onion
2 minced galic cloves
3 c. fat free broth
1 1/2 c diced cabage
1/2 c. green beans
1tbspn tomato paste
1/2 tsp each of dried basil, oregano and salt
1/2c diced zucchini

Saute in non-stick pan in order listed until onions and carrots are soft then simmer everything for a few minutes.

I like to add bok choy (chinese cabbage) instead of the regular cabbage just to change it up a bit. You can use almost any vegetables in season.

Makes 4 1c. servings