Gluten Free Minestrone Soup with Pesto Croutons Recipe

Name: Gluten Free Minestrone Soup with Pesto Croutons Recipe
Ingredients: 4 slices nitrate free bacon; 1½ cups diced onions 1 large onion; 2 cups carrots thickly sliced 3 large carrots cut into ½ inch chunks; 2½ cups diced butternut squash 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½ inch chunks; 4 cloves garlic chopped; 4 thyme sprigs; 1 can 28 ounces organic crushed tomatoes in puree; 6 cups gluten free organic chicken broth; 2 teaspoons kosher or fine sea salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 2 bay leaves; 8 ounces gluten free penne; 1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed; 5 ounces organic spinach leaves; 4 slices gluten free sandwich bread each slice about ½ inch thick; 3 tablespoons basil pesto; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Parmesan cheese - optional