Fiesta Pasta Soup

Recipe courtesy of the National Pasta Association.

Recipe Ingredients:

3 ounces vermicelli pasta, uncooked
1/2 pound sausage, sliced thin
2 (14.5-ounce) cans chicken broth
1 cup water
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (14.5-ounce) can Mexi-corn, drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon lime juice

Cooking Directions:

1. In kettle, simmer sausage in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. Drain water, cook meat over medium heat until browned. Cut meat into pieces.
3. Add broth, tomatoes, and spices to sausage; simmer 10 minutes.
4. Add pasta, corn, beans; cover and simmer 10 minutes until pasta is cooked.
5. Stir in lime juice.
6. Garnish each serving with minced fresh cilantro, sliced avocado and shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 332; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Total Carbs: 35g; Fiber: 5g; Protein: 15g; Sodium: 1075mg.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the National Pasta Association.