Hearty Bean and Kielbasa Soup

This soup is so yummy!  It has the perfect combination of color, flavor and texture.  It is very hearty and filling and delicious on a cold day. 

Hearty Bean and Kielbasa Soup
Makes about 6 servings (1 3/4 c.)

1 c. baby carrots, chopped
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. garlic paste
16 oz. Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa, cut into small pieces
5 c. fat free, less sodium Swanson's chicken broth
1/2 t. dried Italian Seasoning
1/4 t. black pepper
2 cans (15.8 oz.) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (6 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach leaves

Heat a large pan over medium high heat.  Add carrots, onion, minced garlic, garlic paste and kielbasa; saute 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes.  Add broth, Italian seasoning, pepper and beans.  Simmer 5 minutes.

Place 2 1/2 c. of the soup in a blender and process until smooth.  Return the purred mixture to the pan.  Simmer and additional 5 minutes.

Add the spinach, stirring until it wilts.

This soup freezes well.