Italian sausage-about 8 links or can use bulk 2 bay leaves ¼ tsp (or more) garlic minced 14½ oz can tomatoes pureed in a blender 1 tsp salt 1 Tbls olive oil 1 tsp thyme 1 box low sodium chicken broth

Fry sausage-remove skin from sausage if using links. Drain sausage on paper towels. Can crumble or cut into slices. While sausage is frying look through the beans, wash, put in pot w/ 1 inch water or more above the beans. Boil 5 to 10 minutes. Drain & rinse well. Put beans back in pot w/ sausage. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer until beans are tender. Freezes well!