Turkey & Bean Soup

This recipe came about because I bought these amazing bags of beans from Costco the other day. I have been trying to think up and try out different recipes to incorporate them in. My Hubby wanted more protein and these were the perfect solution.

Now I used to HATE beans, but I see the health benefits and eat more of them now. Especially since the rest of the family likes them. Do you do that? Make stuff because your family likes it? I HATE carrots, with a passion, yet we have them almost 1 time a week. They are a family favorite. Most times I push my own likes aside to make everyone else at the table happy.

My 1 1/2 year old LOVED this dish soo much that she had 2 helpings and ate it again the next night for dinner!

My spinach looks a little sad because I bought the HUGE bag from costco and didn’t go through it fast enough. Instead of letting it go to waste, I split it into portions and threw it in baggies in the freezer! Now every time I need spinach I can just pull out one of my little baggies 🙂  If you can’t tell, I LOVE costco!

Nothing like a beautiful cream mixing in with a red sauce 🙂 I almost always cut my tomato sauce with heavy cream. My stomach is very sensitive to acidic food and it seems to tame it out just enough that I can enjoy it 🙂

OHHHH Look at that! It just makes me want to go get a bowl of it right now 🙂 It was delicious and left you feeling satisfied without making you feel like you ate a whole pizza (you know the feeling).

Ok enough blabbering! Here is the recipe (20-30 mins):

• 1lb Ground Turkey
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
• 3 cups Fresh Spinach
• 1 can Kidney or Black Beans (drained and rinsed)*
• 1 can White Northern Beans (drained and rinsed)*
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan
• 1 clove garlic minced*
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp Mexican Oregano*
• 1/2 tbsp Thyme
• 1/2 tsp each Salt/pepper

1. Cook Ground Turkey in a skillet that will be big enough to add your 4 cups of broth until it is no longer raw- season as it cooks with salt, pepper, and onion powder.
2. Add in Chicken broth, beans, tomato sauce, garlic, Mex oregano, thyme and simmer about 15-20 mins on med low heat, this will tighten up the sauce.
3. Add in your spinach and cook until it is wilted
4. Add in Heavy Cream and cook for about 5-10 mins (you can omit this step but I like my soup more creamy)
5. Turn the heat off and add in your Shredded Parmesan – stir in until it is melted and serve!

*You can sub the beans for any that you wish, or you can use 2 of the pouches in the picture above for a good mix (Costco 🙂 )

*Garlic and Onion powder you can interchange fresh and powder seasoning. I did not add onions into the recipe because my family HATES them, so you will never see them in the recipe, but feel free to chop about 1/2 an onion and toss it in with the meat and let it cook up!

*You can use original oregano or Italian seasoning, I like Mexican oregano because it adds a little spice