Kielbasa and Pasta Soup...

This is one of my favorite soup recipes. It's easy to make and hearty enough to have for supper. Serve it with a roll or garlic bread and you have a wonderful easy dinner with leftovers. We had it for dinner one night this past week..it didn't even have to be a cold rainy day to enjoy it. What's a cold rainy day in August when you live in Southern California??

2 lbs. Kielbasa sausage, remove skin ( hot or mild Italian sausage can be used)
3 Carrots, chopped
4 Cloves garlic, chopped

2-3 stalks of sliced celery
3 quarts Chicken broth (I used 4 cans of fat free broth with a little added water)
2 14 oz. Cans diced tomatoes (I used one)
2 15 oz. Cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp. Dried basil
1 Medium onion, chopped
2 C. Small shell macaroni, dry
Salt and pepper


Remove sausage from casing and brown, drain saving 1Tbsp. fat
Add carrots, onion, celery and garlic. Stir often until onion is limp
Add tomatoes and broth, when onion is limp.
Add beans and basil and bring to a boil.

Add pasta, cover and simmer stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Add salt and pepper.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired at time of serving.