Italian sausage soup

Makes 8 1-cup servings

Ingredients

1. 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, ground
2. 2/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
3. 6 cups beef broth
   
4. 1 can (15 ounces) navy beans, rinsed and drained
5. 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
6. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
7. 1 box (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and drained and squeezed dry
8. Mozzarella cheese to garnish
   

Instructions

1. Cook ground sausage over medium heat in a soup pot until the meat is browned and crumbly.
   
2. Add rice, beef broth, beans, tomatoes and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
   
3. Cover and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
   
4. Stir in chopped spinach and let simmer for a few minutes.
5. Sprinkle with cheese to garnish and serve