Italian Style Bean Soup (Mix)

Italian Style Bean Soup (Mix)
I chose this recipe as part of the March 2009 Aussie/NZ recipe swap. Then our ward Scouts put on an Italian dinner for the ward. I made this soup to take and it was a HUGE hit! The original recipe says this would make an excellent mix. PaulaG from El Paso, TX gets the credit for sharing this wonderful recipe! She got it from Gifts from a Jar Soups, Chiles and More.

Mix
1 3/4 cups dried great northern beans or navy beans
1 TBSP dried onion flakes
2 tsp dried basil
2 chicken bouillon cubes, unwrapped
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp instant minced garlic
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells

Soup
5-6 cups water
1 cup prepared pasta sauce
2 oz baby spinach
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste

To make the mix: layer the beans in a 1 qt jar with tight fitting lid. Combine the onion, basil, bouillon cubes, parsley, garlic and pepper in a small food storage bag. Close bag. Place the seasoning bag over the beans, spreading out bag to cover beans; add pasta shells.
Place lid on jar. May cover with fabric or raffia. Attach gift tag. Attach directions for preparing soup to jar.

Soup Directions (to be placed with jar)
Remove the pasta and seasoning packet from jar; set aside. Place the beans in a large bowl; cover with water and soak for 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain beans, discarding the water. Combine the soaked beans, water, pasts sauce and contents of seasoning packet in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 2 - 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Add the pasta and spinach; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season to taste, serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

This is what I did:
I skipped filling the jar. I went right to the soaking of the beans and added all the seasonings and everything else except the pasta and spinach. I let it simmer for a couple hours then put it in the fridge overnight. The next day I added 8 oz spinach, 1 pound of cooked ground sausage and a large package of Three Cheese Tortellini. I made this for a crowd. The tortellini did expand and were nice and plump. Probably 4 times as big as they were when in the package. I will make this again using other "Italian" style pastas like ravioli. :) We served this with grated Parmesan cheese and croutons. There was also french bread for people who like to dunk bread with their soup.