Pasta and Bean Soup

My children love pasta, and we love this soup as its quick to make and tastes even better if made the day before.

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Serves: 4 children

Steps

1. Put the dried haricot beans in a large pan and cover them with cold water.
2. Bring the water in the pan to the boil and boil for 2 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and leave to stand for 2 hours
3. Heat some olive oil in a frying pan add the garlic, onion and bacon, and cook until the onion is soft and golden brown.
4. Drain the beans and then reuse the large pan. Add the onion and bacon mixture, the stock, tomato puree.
5. Bring the pan to the boil and boil for 2 minutes
6. Get a casserole dish. Empty the soup from the pan into the casserole dish.
7. Place the casserole dish in a pre heated oven, 180oc / Gas mark 4, and cook for 3 hours.
8. Remove the casserole dish from the oven. Pour half the soup into a blender and blend.
9. Pour the pureed soup back into the casserole dish and stir in the macaroni, parsley and basil.
10. Place the casserole dish back in the oven for another 45minutes.
11. Serve with some grated Parmesan cheese, crusty wholemeal bread, and a side salad.