Great sausage and bean soup recipe!

Sausage-Bean Soup

I found this recipe on a homesteading site and made it two weeks ago. My family begged me to make it two more times and nobody is sick of it! I'll give credit to the site/author if I can find it again since I HATE recipe stealers! You do not have to soak the beans overnight, simply lightly boil them in salt water for a couple hours first. Check them for doneness then add the rest of the ingredients. If the recipe is to large for your family you can cut the recipe in half or plan on freezing the leftovers for future meals.

4 cups dried pinto beans
Water for soaking
8 cups water for cooking (12 cups if beans were not soaked!)
1 T salt
½ to 1lb. sausage, optional
Olive oil, if not using sausage
1 small or medium onion, chopped
1 t minced garlic
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 stalk of celery chopped
1 T Italian seasonings
1 can diced tomatoes
1 ½ c mozzarella cheese
¼ c parmesan cheese

The evening before making this meal put beans in a large pot and cover them well with water. In the morning drain the water and add the 8 cups of water and salt to the beans and cook until soft. (If the beans were not soaked, you can cook them in salted water for 2.5 hours or until beans are soft) The beans can be set aside now until closer to meal time if you would like or you can make it up and have it all ready to go for dinner.

Cook sausage along with onions, garlic, celery, and optional peppers.

Add these vegetables to the cooked beans. Add the remaining ingredients and heat until the cheese is melted and the flavors are blended. This is delicious and can be served with some homemade bread (French bread would be wonderful) and a salad.