RECIPE: ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Soup is great on those chilly fall and winter days.  Italian Vegetable Soup is my husbands’ favorite.  Whenever we have friends at our home he requests that I make a big crock pot full.   It goes great with homemade french bread!

Italian Vegetable Soup

1 lb. Ground beef                                                        1T. dried Parsley Flakes

1 cup diced onions                                                     1 tsp. salt

1 cup sliced celery                                                      1/2 tsp. oregano

1 cup sliced carrots                                                    1/2 tsp. sweet basil

2 cloves garlic, minced                                              1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes                                         2 cups shredded cabbage

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce                                  1 cup frozen green beans

1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, undrained           1/2 cup small elbow macaroni

2 cups water                                                                 5 tsp. beef bouillon granules

Brown beef in large heavy kettle; drain.  Add all the ingredients except cabbage, green beans and macaroni.  Bring to boil.  Lower heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.  Add cabbage, green beans, and macaroni.  Bring to a boil and simmer until vegetables and macaroni are tender.

If you like a minnestrone like, flavorful soup, you will love this!