Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup

Yesterday it was snowing.  Beautiful flakes just coating the trees and then gone as fast as it came in.  It was the perfect evening to make some bone warming soup and this was terrific.  Fast and easy for a weeknight meal and it packs a punch with a bit of spice.  It was hearty, healthy, and delicious.  Easy breezy too.  Enjoy!

Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup (10 minutes of prep and 12 minutes to cook)

Ingredients

3TSP olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 small onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (26 ounce jar) marinara sauce (recipe recommends San Marzano brand but I used Paul Newman's Organic Tomato and Basil Marinara)
2 (14 ounce) cans cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if you don't like the heat, omit this part and add a few sprinkles of reg black better.  Kick it up if you love some spice...but this amount is perfect).
1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any small pasta..I used whole wheat)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.  Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes.  Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannelloni beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.  Add fresh Parmesan or Parmesan reggiano on top and serve with bread.