"If you enjoy tomato soup but think it's not really a "meal", you haven't tried this fabulous, super hearty White Bean Tomato Basil Soup!..."
INGREDIENTS
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1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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1 tablespoon butter
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1 medium-size sweet onion (roughly chopped)
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3 medium cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
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2 tablespoons purchased pesto
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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2 15-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
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1 14-ounce can white beans (canellini, navy or Great Northern, drained)
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2 medium-size medium-size carrots (scrubbed (no need to peel) and roughly chopped)
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
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¼ cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
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½ cup half & half (optional)
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Feta cheese (optional, for serving)
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fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional, for serving)
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fresh ground black pepper (optional, for serving)