Pizza soup

1. 1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add in the garlic, thyme, and half of the onion. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Then, put the tomato base into a blender in two batches. Blend until completely smooth.

2. 2. Cook the Italian sausage in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Continuously break apart the sausage into small pieces with a spatula while it cooks.

3. 3. Sauté the bell pepper, remaining onion, and mushrooms in the large pot for 5 minutes. Stir in the beef broth, tomato soup base, and Italian sausage. Simmer until ready to serve.

4. 4. While the soup finishes cooking, halve the pepperoni slices, and brown them in a small frying pan over medium high heat. To assemble the soup, ladle it into a bowl and top it with the browned pepperoni, a few olives, and crushed red pepper flakes.

5. We're looking at 463 calories, 26g fat, 31g carbs, 26g protein. Pretty high in fat. This is a 3 block meal, about right for an average sized active female.