Tomato, Escarole & Macaroni Soup

Well it's not quite Christmas yet, but it's Recipe ReDux time and this month we're focusing on "lucky foods" for the new year.

I have to admit, when I saw the theme I was a bit perplexed as to what to make. I've never thought of foods as being lucky, so I had to Google around until I found a list of traditionally lucky eats in different cultures. Here's a list if you're interested - I bet some of the things you already eat are on there. There certainly were for me. When I saw "leafy greens" on the list as a lucky food since they resemble money and supposedly can bring prosperity, I knew I'd be cooking greens today. Thankfully I already had a bunch of kale, mesclun greens and escarole in the fridge, because I definitely did not prep ahead for the challenge this month!

This soup comes together in about a half hour and resembles pasta fagioli, but without the beans and sausage you traditionally see. It's brothy, full of escarole and is super hearty without being too filling. Great for a Saturday evening on the couch!

Tomato, Escarole and Macaroni Soup

Serves 3-4

Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 package button mushrooms, sliced
1 head escarole, washed and roughly chopped
1/2 jar organic tomato sauce
3 cups water
1 vegetable bouillon
4 oz. whole wheat macaroni
Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste

In a stock pot, saute onions, garlic and mushrooms in the olive oil. Once soft, add the escarole; stir to combine and let cook until escarole wilts down.

Add the tomato sauce, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil, then add the macaroni, red pepper flakes and salt & pepper. Cook for approximately 15 minutes (depending on cooking time of the pasta).

Serve with parmesan cheese on top.

As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!

(Please note that this is a closed link-up for Recipe ReDux posts only. Any links added to this collection for non-ReDux posts will be deleted.) 

1. Emma @ Scoop Nutrition. Gluten Free Lemon Polenta Lucky Cake	2. Glenda @ Healthy Stories - Cherry, Coconut and Chocolate Ice Cream	3. Kylie @ immaeatthat: Healthy New Years Oatmeal Bars	4. Jenny @ 30econdswAandJ.com - Hearty Kale, Lentils and Sausage Soup
5. Nina @ Whats for eats: Sweet Potato Donut FAIL!	6. Heidi@BetterThanDormFood-Lentil Sweet Potato Soup	7. Steph @NutrishusRD: Pot of Prosperity - sausage, lentil, greens soup	8. Lucky Brown Rice Pudding: Grain Crazy
9. Kelly Francis : Lucky Corn Muffins	10. Reduced Fat and Sugar Vanilla Pomegranate Cheesecake Parfaits | Kindred Kitchen	11. Joanna Baker @Food for Thought - Lucky BBQ Pork	12. The Soulful Spoon: Good Luck Vegetable Soup
13. Alex @ DK: One Lucky Lentil Kale Bowl	14. Healthy in the Kitchen with Chef Michelle	15. Nikki @ The Kids Menu	16. Arman @ thebigmansworld - Healthy Apricot and Apple Crumble
17. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes - Pork Roulade with Arugula Pesto	18. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine - Lucky Dancin' John	19. Deanna @ Teaspoon of Spice : Kapusta {Braised Sauerkraut}	20. Pork and Sauerkraut Cindy's Recipes and Writings
21. Sarah Grace @ Fresh Fit N Healthy – Dark Chocolate Jello Shots	22. Lucky Black-eyed Pea, Squash, and Shiitake Curry for the New Year	23. Sarah@IngredientsOfAFitChick	24. diane@capefearnutrition: Good Luck Black Eyed Peas
25. Joanne - Spinach with Yellow-Eyed Peas and Fried Eggs	26. Healthfully Ever After: Roasting Chestnuts	27. Jaime @ Zest & Zeal - Lemony Chicken Stir-Fry	28. Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean - Pork Lo Mein
29. Ashley @ The Gypsy Dietitian - Lucky Lentil Soup	30. Katie @ 24 Carrot Life - Strawberry Champagne Ice Cream Floats	31. Cindy Brison@Nutritionknowhow.org Lucky Foods and Family	32. An Avocado A Day - Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Hoppin Collards
33. Slow Cooker Pork with Salsa Verde and Cilantro Rice	34. Taylor @Taste and See - Black-eyed pea and zucchini falafel	35. DrBarbs Baked Brown Rice Pudidng	36. Good Luck Grapes & Greens
37. Regan @ Healthy Aperture - Rosemary-Pecan Cornbread	38. Claire @ The Slender Student - Sweet Potato Pomegranate Bruschetta	39. marie@eNourishment 3 bean salad w/ black eyed peas and tomatoes	40. Holley @ HolleyGrainger.com Hoppin' John with Greens
41. Emily @ Gathering Green - Warm Quinoa Salad	42. Anne@simpleandsavory	43. Anne|Craving Something Healthy ~ Lentil, Spicy Sausage and Spinach Soup	44. Betsy @SupermarketNutrition - Hoppin' John Remake w/ Kale, Carrots, & Quinoa
45. NYE Mojo Pork & Black Beans - Fresh Food Perspectives	46. Debbie Dishes - Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal	47. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious: Chicken Vegetable Udon Soup	48. Dana @ Art of Nutrition - Lucky Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate-Balsamic Sauce
49. Noms McGee- Celery, Yogurt, & Walnut Sticks	50. Allie @ Nutritionmeetslife: Lucky lentil soup	51. Priya @ Dietitian UK Curry Spice Blend Celebration Coconut Kiribath	52. Asian Pork Lettuce Wraps {Recipe ReDux} | Jen Haugen RD
53. Mireya @MyHealthyEatingHabits	54. Ruta @ Mix it Up: Golden Donuts	55. Marisa @Marisamoore.com | Honey Cider Collard Greens	56. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian
57. Mary @ BrightonYourHealth - Capadanno Lentils with Prosciutto Mustard Sauce	58. Healthy Cornbread – Hidden Fruits and Veggies	59. Chocolate Donuts with Orange Glaze {Ari's Menu}	60. Chef Becca @ It's Yummi! Old Fashioned Pickled Herring
61. Quincy@Shugurcän- Citrus-Hemp Noodles	62. SomeSugarAdded - Tomato, Escarole & Macaroni Soup	63. Alex @ Ambitious and Nutritious - Good Luck Black-Eyed Pea Hummus	64. Hoppin’ John Salad via WeHeartVegan
65. Root The New Year Forward With This Mustard-Maple Pork Tenderloin | The Fresh Beet	66. Pomegranate Fruit Salad @RealFoodMoms	67. Lucky Sweet Corn and Citrus Muffins | Life Hands You Limes	68. Auspicious Jiaozi (Chinese Dumpling) @riceandbread
69. Tropical Fruit Salad | Food Paradise	70. Lucky Ricotta Lemon Cornmeal Cake	71. Andouille Black Eyed Pea Cheese Cornbread | Food Done Light	72. Arroz con Gandules @ Wish Upon A Dish
73. Kathy & Lauren @ NutritionBabes Mini Pomegranate Spritzer	74. New Year's Breakfast Casserole | Living Well Kitchen	75. Madison @ Eating 4 Balance - Banana Nut Bread

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