You will want to eat every last drop of this delicious soup. It's full of Italian sausage, pasta, beans and spinach all topped with the gooey goodness of 2 different melted cheeses.
1 lb. Italian sausage
½ medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
6 large handfuls spinach
2 T. whiskey
4 c. chicken stock or broth
½ can cannellini beans
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried basil
1 T. dried parsley
1 c. water
1 c. uncooked penne pasta
2 T. butter, melted
2 T. flour
4 slices Swiss cheese
1 c. shredded Provel or Provolone
Brown sausage in large saucepan. Add onion; cook until soft; approximately 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Add spinach; cook until wilted; about 3-4 minutes. Drain any excess grease and discard. Add whiskey; remove brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add chicken stock/broth; simmer 20-30 minutes.
Add beans, oregano, basil, parsley and water; bring to a low boil. Add penne pasta; cook about 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Turn soup to low.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine melted butter with flour, creating a smooth paste; add slowly to the soup; stir. Cook on low until slightly thickened.
Divide soup between 4 ovenproof bowls. Top each with slice of Swiss cheese and ¼ cup provel.
Bake on a cookie sheet 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted. Turn oven to broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned.