Sam’s Minestrone

This is a great soup based on an exceedingly delicious creation my friend Sam made for me once. I don’t make a lot of soups, but this one is easy and always delicious. It’s completely healthy except the ravioli, which you can always switch out if you want, using just penne or removing the pasta entirely and adding extra mushrooms or something. 

Ingredients

1 onion
1 green bell pepper
1/3 lb. crimini mushrooms
1 bag spinach (4-6oz, I prefer baby)
1 container (usually 1/2 lb) ravioli or tortellini
1 can diced tomatoes (I think these come in 16oz?)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red pepper flakes OR serano peppers, 1-3 depending on how hot you want it
1 tbsp cumin
1/3 bottle cheap red wine
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and pepper to taste

Process

Cut the onion, mushrooms, and pepper into fairly large, equivalently sized pieces. Sweat the garlic and onions in olive oil for a few minutes, then add the mushrooms, peppers/flakes, and spices and cook on medium-high for another 4-5 minutes. Then add the can of tomatoes (including water) and red wine and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the ravioli and enough extra hot/boiling water so that the liquid covers everything. When the ravioli is done, add the spinach and keep on heat just long enough to wilt the spinach.