Bean and Bacon Soup

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried beans (, soaked overnight in a pot of water, drained, and rinsed)
• 5 slices thick cut bacon (, diced)
• 1 medium yellow onion (, chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (, minced)
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 large carrot (, diced)
• 1 large stalk celery (, diced)
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a Dutch oven or heavy stock pot over medium-high heat, fry the bacon until crispy. Add the onion and cook for another 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and seasonings. Increase the heat, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.