To save time, you can buy pre-chopped celery and onions in the produce department. You can also buy jarred minced garlic.

Number of servings: 3
Serving Size: 6 cups

Ingredients required:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 28-ounce can crushed or petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup fat free half and half

Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, water, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes. Stir in basil. If desired, puree in a food processor, blender, or hand-held mixer in batches until smooth. Add half and half and heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories- 240 
Sodium- 660 mg
Total Fat- 6 g 
Calcium- 250 mg
Sat Fat- 1 g 
Cholesterol- 0 mg
Fiber- 8 g 
Protein- 9 g
Carbohydrates- 42 g