The Ultimate Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Ingredients

• 2- 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef lean
• 1 1/2 C yellow onion chopped
• 2 medium carrots diced (1 cup)
• 3 stalks celery diced (1 cup)
• 3 TBSP garlic minced
• 3 cans tomato sauce 8 oz
• 2 cans chicken broth 14.5 oz
• 1/2 C water more as desired
• 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes 15 oz
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 1/2 C dry ditalini pasta
• 2 cans dark red kidney beans 15 oz (drained and rinsed)
• 2 cans great northern beans 15 oz (drained and rinsed)
• Shredded Parmesan cheese enough per serving

Instructions

1. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot cooking on medium- high heat.
2. Crumble the ground beef into the pot & stir until the beef is cooked through, then drain & set aside
3. Heat remaining tablespoon (1) of olive oil in same pot, then add onions, carrots, and celery into the pot, saute the contents of the pot over medium-high heat until tender. ( about 6 minutes)
4. Add in the garlic, Saute for 1 minute longer.
5. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, canned tomatoes
6. to the pot.
7. Next add the sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram to the same pot. Stir to mix.
8. Add the cooked beef, seasoning with salt and pepper.
9. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low, Cover with a lid.
10. Allow the pot to simmer, stirring occasionally.
11. Continue to simmer until the veggies are soft. (about 15 – 20 minutes.)
12. While the veggie are simmering, prepare the pasta according to directions on package. (cooking to al dente.)
13. Add both types of beans to the soup.
14. Next add in the pasta to the soup.
15. (Thin with a little more broth or water if desired.)
16. Allow to cook 1 minute longer.
17. Stir in parsley.
18. Serve the soup into individual bowls.
19. Top each bowl with Parmesan cheese.
20. serve warm with grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
21. ENJOY!