White bean and meatball soup

This is a great soup--and a spiritual cousin to the Polpette and Orzo en Brodo.

2 Tbs. olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 long carrots, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
2 cans white beans, drained
1 bag frozen meatballs (I like the trader joes mini ones) or make your own with ground beef or turkey
1 jar Trader Joes Roasted red pepper and eggplant garlic spread.

Heat oil in soup pot. Saute veggies. Add broth, beans and meat balls, bring to a boil. Empty jar of spread into soup. Stir and simmer for 1 hour.