Hearty Beef Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is a thick soup of Italian origin made with vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice, sometimes both. This version features alphabet pasta. Use rice instead for a gluten-free dish. With the addition of ground beef, this stew-like minestrone is hearty enough to be the main course. Both kids and parents will love this recipe.

MAKES 8 Servings - PREP TIME 15 min - COOK TIME 40 min - TOTAL TIME 55 min

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Soup Ingredients

• 1 lb (500 g) Extra Lean Ground Beef Round or Sirloin or Extra Lean Ground Beef

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 cup (750 mL) frozen mixed vegetables

• 1 ½ tsp (7 mL) dried Italian herb seasoning

• ¼ tsp (1 mL) chili pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 can (28 oz/796 mL) diced tomatoes

• 1 pkg (900 mL) gluten-free (if desired) sodium-reduced chicken broth

• 1 can (213 mL) tomato sauce

• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded fresh spinach (optional)

• ¼ cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley (optional)

• ½ cup (125 mL) broken whole wheat spaghetti or alphabet pasta

• ½ cup (125 mL) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

Cook beef, onion, garlic, frozen mixed vegetables, Italian seasoning, and chili pepper flakes (if using) in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until meat is thoroughly cooked and any liquid has evaporated.

Add tomatoes, broth, and tomato sauce; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add spinach and parsley (if using). Stir in pasta and beans (if using); simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. It's really THAT easy!

For original recipe, click here.