Easy Minestrone Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup onion (minced)
• 1 tablespoons garlic (minced - approx 3 garlic cloves)
• 1 cup carrots (minced)
• 1 cup celery (minced)
• 10 oz cooked kidney beans (rinsed/drained if using canned)
• 28 oz canned tomato sauce
• 1 large bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional (omit if you don't like spice or add to taste at end)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional - omit if using store bought stock with salt)
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 cups water
• 8 oz small pasta (about 2 cups dry pasta, gluten free if necessary. Elbows, Ditalini, Orzo all work.)
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

Directions