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Warm Your Winter with Bush’s Beans Pasta Shells Recipe Exchange and Giveaway

Cozy Winter Comfort: Hearty Pasta Shells and Beans Soup Recipe & Bush’s Beans Recipe Exchange + Le Creuset Giveaway

Welcome to a post brimming with warmth, flavor, and an exciting opportunity! For several years now, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Bush’s Beans, a brand I genuinely trust and adore. Beans aren’t just an occasional ingredient in my kitchen; they are a cornerstone of my diet, offering incredible versatility, nutrition, and a satisfying heartiness to countless dishes. They are particularly indispensable when crafting soul-soothing, comforting soups, like the delicious Pasta Shells and Beans soup I recently whipped up. My recent “soup kick” has been a delightful culinary journey, focusing on preparing a large pot over the weekend to enjoy effortless, nourishing lunches and quick dinners throughout the busy week. This particular bean and pasta soup stands out for its elegant simplicity, yet delivers an exceptionally good taste. Packed with wholesome vegetables, protein-rich beans, and fiber-filled whole grain pasta, it truly hits the spot, especially on crisp, cold winter days when you crave something deeply satisfying and warming.

What makes this soup truly special is the subtle, natural creaminess lent by the beans. This isn’t just about texture; it infuses the soup with an extra layer of depth and comfort, transforming a simple meal into something truly extraordinary. And here’s a little secret: like many great soups, this one only improves with time, developing richer flavors as it rests in the refrigerator for a day or two. My inspiration for this delightful creation stems from a cherished childhood memory – a beloved soup my mom frequently prepared for us, known to many as Pasta e Fagioli, or simply Pasta Fazul. I’ve encountered numerous variations of this classic Italian-American dish over the years, but my family’s version bore a striking resemblance to this recipe, albeit traditionally made with ditalini pasta. For this iteration, I opted for whole wheat shell pasta, appreciating the added nutritional benefits and the satisfying bite it provides. The wholesome goodness of whole grain pasta elevates this comfort food to a healthier, more fulfilling level, and I’m already looking forward to making another batch soon.

I am thrilled to share this incredibly wholesome and utterly delicious soup recipe as the launchpad for a special **Winter Comfort Food Recipe Exchange**. This heartwarming event is proudly hosted by Bush’s Beans, Real Mom Kitchen, and myself. Our shared vision is to cultivate a vibrant collection of your most cherished, comforting winter recipes that prominently feature the goodness of beans. By contributing your favorite winter comfort food bean recipes through our link-up, you’re not just sharing culinary inspiration; you’re also entering for an incredible chance to win a highly coveted **Le Creuset Cast Iron French Oven, complete with valuable coupons for Bush’s Beans and a generous $100 Visa gift card**! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your culinary creativity and potentially upgrade your kitchen essentials. Please review the detailed instructions below the recipe to learn how you can participate and stand a chance to win these amazing prizes.

 

Print Recipe

Pasta Shells and Beans Soup Recipe

Bowl of Pasta Shells and Beans Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing vegetables)
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced (adds aromatic depth)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (provides a subtle crunch and savory base)
  • 2 carrots, diced (for natural sweetness and color)
  • 1 onion, chopped (the foundation of flavor)
  • 2 cans Bush’s Great Northern Beans (or Cannellini Beans), slightly drained but not rinsed (key for creamy texture and robust bean flavor)
  • 8 cups of water (or chicken broth for richer flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon chicken base (omit if using chicken broth instead of water, enhances savory notes)
  • 1/2 of a 13 oz box whole wheat shell pasta (adds fiber and a satisfying chew)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (a blend of classic herbs for an authentic taste)
  • Big pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional, for an extra layer of flavor)

Directions:

  1. Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the minced garlic, chopped onion, diced celery, and carrots to the pot. Sauté these aromatic vegetables for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and wonderfully fragrant. Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor from the start.
  2. Next, gently stir in the slightly drained Bush’s Great Northern (or Cannellini) beans into the softened vegetable mixture. Pour in the 8 cups of water or chicken broth. If you’re using water, dissolve the chicken base into the liquid at this point. Bring the entire mixture to a slow, steady boil, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
  3. Once the soup has reached a boil, add the whole wheat shell pasta. Continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the pasta is perfectly al dente and cooked through. Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to achieve your desired flavor profile. Serve hot, optionally topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Please note that whole wheat pasta typically requires a slightly longer cooking time compared to regular white pasta. If you choose to use conventional pasta shells, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking and ensure a pleasant texture. Always refer to the package directions for your specific pasta type.





Follow AggiesKitchen on Instagram and show us what delicious recipes you are making from the blog! Be sure to use the hashtag #aggieskitchen – I’d absolutely love to see your culinary creations and feature them!

How to Link Up and Join the Winter Comfort Food Recipe Exchange:

Participating in our Winter Comfort Food Recipe Exchange is a wonderful way to connect with fellow food enthusiasts and share your culinary talents. Here’s how you can join in the fun and be eligible for our fantastic giveaway:

1. Post Your Recipe: Create a quick, easy, and comforting recipe on your blog that prominently features **Bush’s Beans**. This recipe should be perfect for weeknight meals and everyday gatherings. There are no limits to how many recipes you can submit, so feel free to share multiple favorites! It’s perfectly acceptable to use recipes that have been **previously posted** on your blog, as long as you update them to include the information detailed in step three.

**Important for Non-Bloggers:** If you don’t have a blog, no worries! You can still participate by simply leaving your comforting bean recipe in the comments section of this very post. We want everyone to have a chance to share!

2. Link Up Your Post: During our official link-up week, which runs from February 4th to February 11th, 2013, please **copy and paste the direct link** to your Bush’s Beans Winter Comfort Foods recipe post into the widget. You’ll find this convenient link-up tool at the end of this post on Aggie’s Kitchen, or over on Real Mom Kitchen. You only need to add your link on one site; it will automatically appear on both!

**Crucial for Giveaway Entry:** Please **leave a separate comment on THIS post** to let me know that you have linked up your recipe. Your comment will be recognized as your official “entry” into the giveaway and will be used when we select the lucky winner. Don’t skip this step!

3. Include Required Phrases and Links: To ensure your entry is valid, your blog post must include the following specific phrase: **“Join Aggie’s Kitchen and Real Mom Kitchen and share a family favorite Winter Comfort Food recipe for the Bush’s Beans Recipe Exchange!”**

**Mandatory Bean Inclusion:** Additionally, your recipe’s ingredients list must feature one of the following Bush’s Beans varieties:

  • Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Pinto Beans, Great Northern Beans, Cannellini Beans (if using Cannellini Beans, please also include the note “or Great Northern Beans” in your recipe), and Chili Beans.
  • You are welcome to use reduced-sodium beans, but please clearly note in your recipe that it works equally well with regular beans.

**Linking Requirements:** Both the specific phrase mentioned above and the inclusion of a qualifying Bush’s Beans product in your recipe are **essential** for your chance to win the giveaway. Furthermore, the required phrase **must include active links** to Aggie’s Kitchen, Real Mom Kitchen, and Bush’s Beans. These steps ensure your participation is correctly registered and contributes to the spirit of our community exchange.

Giveaway Details: Win a Le Creuset French Oven & More!

We are incredibly excited to announce the fantastic prizes our generous friends at Bush’s Beans are offering to one lucky Aggie’s Kitchen reader who participates in our Winter Comfort Food Recipe Exchange! This is your chance to win some truly wonderful items that will enhance your cooking and delight your palate:

The grand prize winner will receive:

·         10 free coupons for Bush’s Beans – Stock up on your favorite bean varieties and continue creating delicious, wholesome meals without the cost!

·         A $100 Visa Gift Card – Enjoy the flexibility of using this gift card for groceries, kitchen gadgets, or anything else your heart desires!

·         And the highly coveted Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron French Oven, 5.5 Qt. Round in the stunning flame color – This iconic piece of cookware is a dream for any home chef, known for its superior heat distribution, durability, and beauty. Perfect for simmering soups, stews, braising meats, and baking artisan bread.

To enter this amazing giveaway, simply link up your Winter Comfort Food recipe to our exchange (please refer to the detailed instructions above for all the necessary steps). Crucially, you must also leave a comment on this post letting me know that you have successfully linked up. The winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on this post, so make sure your entry is counted!

Want to increase your chances of winning? You can earn additional entries through any of the following actions (remember to leave a **separate comment** for each additional entry you complete, as each comment will count as an individual entry):

  • **Tweet about the giveaway:** Share your excitement by tweeting the following message: ” I want to win a Le Creuset French Oven & $100 Visa Card from @BushsBeans @aggieskitchen & @realmomkitchen http://su.pr/1lnn1N  #BushsBeans ”. This helps spread the word and gives you an extra shot at the prize!
  • **Follow Bush’s Beans on Facebook:** Head over to the Bush’s Beans Facebook page and give them a follow. Let us know in a comment that you’re now connected!

Please note that this giveaway is open exclusively to residents of the U.S. We sincerely apologize to our international readers, but due to shipping and legal restrictions, we are unable to extend the giveaway beyond U.S. borders. However, even if you live elsewhere, we still warmly encourage you to share your fantastic Bush’s Beans recipes in the link-up! The giveaway will conclude promptly on February 11th at 12 a.m. PST. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to win fantastic prizes and share your culinary passion!

 

(Disclosure: I am in a paid partnership with Bush’s Beans. All opinions expressed and recipes shared are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine love for their products.)