Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut italian green beans
1/4 cup minced celery(about 1/2 stalk)
4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note: Do not use chicken broth!*)
2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans drained
2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or great northern beans drained
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup carrot julienned or shredded
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup small shell pasta

Directions
1Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.
2Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
3Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.
4Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
5Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.
6Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.