Ingredients

• 1 - small, white/yellow onion (finely chopped).
• 1/2 cup - celery (optional).
• 1 can (15-16 oz.) - Italian-style tomatoes (with Basil and other Italian spices).
• 3 cups - cooked pasta (macaroni, penne, rigatoni, corkscrews, etc.).
• 6 cups - water (or vegetable broth).
• 1 cup - chick peas (optional).
• 2 tsp - olive oil.
• Italian spices (basil, parsley and oregano; dry or fresh).
• Dash of Tabasco sauce.
• Lemon juice (if needed).
• Salt and pepper (fresh cracked pepper tastes better).

How to Make Plain Pasta Soup

• Heat oil in soup pot.
• Add onion (and celery) and saute for a few minutes.
• Add Italian-style tomatoes and saute for a few more minutes.
• Add water (or vegetable broth) and boil until the onion (and celery) are soft.
• Add pasta and season soup with Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
• Boil for a few more minutes.
• Add a dash of Tabasco sauce to give a kick to the soup.
• Add lemon juice, if needed.