8 3/4 cups chicken broth (from three 32-oz cartons) or 5 cans (14 oz each) vegetable broth

1 package (16 to 20 oz) 15- or 16-dried bean soup mix (2 1/4 cups), sorted, rinsed

4 medium carrots, chopped (2 cups)

3 medium stalks celery, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 can (14.5 oz) organic diced tomatoes, undrained