Pasta Fagioli Soup

It's been a busy time of year, but we've finally gotten our house back in order. Christmas was wonderful, though I didn't take the time to share all my wonderful desserts with you. I will dedicate an entry to them in the near future.

We baked a ham for Christmas dinner, which means we had leftovers. Anytime we have ham, I save the bone to make my Mother in Law's Pasta Fagioli Soup. She made this for me about 3 yrs ago and I fell inlove with it. It is so simple, yet so flavorful. I made a huge pot and we had finished it off in 2 days, LOL.

Pasta Fagioli Soup

1 bag of great northern beans, sorted and rinsed
1 onion, chopped
1 ham bone
2 C chopped ham
1/2 box ditalini pasta
2 cans tomato soup
1/2 tsp pepper

In a large pot of water, bring beans, onion and ham bone to a boil. Simmer over med low heat, until beans are tender, 2 or more hrs, adding water when needed. Once beans are tender, add ham, ditalini, tomato soup and pepper and any additional water, to almost fill the pot. Simmer, on very low heat, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender.