Directions:

• Add 2-3 tablespoons olive oil into a large pot and place on medium heat.  Add leeks, garlic, and onion to the pan.  Cook onion, leeks, and garlic until translucent and tender.  
  2 leeks , 3-4 garlic cloves, 1 whole yellow onion , 2-3 T olive oil
• Add carrots, potatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and water to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  2 carrots, 2 large potatoes, 15 ounce red kidney beans, 6 cups water  , 2-3 8- ounce tomato sauce cans 
• Optional - add bouillon cubes, and stir until dissolved. Optional- cook sausage all the way through on a skillet on medium-high heat, slice into ½ inch pieces, and add to the pot. (You can also cook them right before soup finishes and add the sausage in then!)
  1 lb Italian sausage, 3 cubes chicken or vegetable bullion  
• Bring to a boil, then cook on simmer for 2-3 hours.  Add water as needed for desired consistency. (see note)
• Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese.
  ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup parsley