Pasta Fagioli

I don't want Mark to take my blog off so guess I better get something posted. This recipe came from Becky. I haven't made it yet, but she says it is delicious.

3 tsp. oil
2 lbs. ground beef
12 oz. onion, chopped
14 oz. carrots, slivered
14 oz. celery, diced
48 oz. tomatoes, canned, diced
2 cups cooked red kidney beans
2 cups white kidney beans
88 oz. beef stock
3 tsp. oregano
2 1/2 tsp. pepper
5 tsp. fresh chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
48 oz. spaghetti sauce
8 oz. dry pasta, shell macaroni or other pasta

Saute beef in oil in large 10 qt. pot until beef starts to brown. Add onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Also add beef stock, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, spaghetti sauce, and noodles. Add chopped parsley. Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes. Makes 9 qts. of soup. Just cut the recipe in 1/2 for smaller family needs.

Quick Chicken Minestrone

1 qt. water
1 (10oz.) pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
3 oz. spaghetti, uncooked and broken into 2 in. pieces
2 tsp. chicken-flavored bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. diced whole basil
1/2 tsp. dried whole oregano
1 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
2 1/3 cups sliced zucchini
2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
1 can tomatoes (undrained and chopped)
Combine first 6 ingredients in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 min. Add mushrooms, zucchini, chicken and tomatoes; stir well. Cover and cook an additional 20 min. or until zucchini is tender. Yield: 11 cups. 1 cup serving equals: 114 calories; 1.6 grams Fat

Olive Garden Soup

My sister, Rita, gave this recipe to me several years ago. It is delicious. With the weather turning cooler, it starts to make me think more about good, hearty soups.

1 lb. hamburger
1 chopped onion
Brown and drain.
Add:
3 cans Campbell's Minestrone soup
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
1 can water
Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes on low heat.
Freezes well

Mexican Soup

This is a recipe given to me by my daughter, and I believe she received it from her mother-in-law. I just know it is delicious.

2 lbs. ground beef
1 chopped onion
Brown together and drain off fat.
Add:
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. Taco seasoning
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 can pinto beans
1 can chili beans
1 1/2 cups water
1 can whole kernel corn
Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for awhile.

Texas Meatball Stew

1 lb. ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 onion chopped
1/4 cup milk
Make into meatballs and brown in 1 Tbsp. oil.
After balls are brown, pour off fat.
Add:
2 cups canned tomatoes
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can kidney beans
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 cups water
Reduce heat and cook until done.
This is wonderful, especially on a cold winter night, but really great any time.

Quick Italian Soup

My sister-in-law reminded me of this recipe last night. It is another old one, and one that she likes and we do too.

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pkg. Hamburger Helper mix for Lasagne
5 cups water
1 can (8 1/4 oz. ) whole kernel corn
1 can ( 16 oz. ) tomatoes
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 small zucchini, sliced and slices cut in half

Add 1/4 to 1/2 lb. velveeta

Brown ground beef and onion together. Drain. Add everything to large soup pot. Cook until zucchini is done. Turn off burner and add cheese. When cheese is melted, it is ready to serve. This is a nice, thick, hearty soup.

Soup Bowl Favorite

Many years ago, my dad found this recipe in a magazine and suggested my mom try it. She did, and we all loved it.

1 small chopped onion
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced potatoes
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup dry, broken noodles
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
Cook vegetables in water for about 15 minutes. Add noodles and more water if necessary. Cook slowly until done. Add butter, salt, and pepper. When ready to serve, add mushroom soup and milk. Heat until hot.

Creamy Potato Soup

For you, Andrea. I love it that you requested a recipe. This is the best potato soup I have ever eaten. My mom gave me the recipe a long time ago. I am as sure as I can be that it is not very good for our arteries, so we don't eat it very often. It is wonderful on a cold, winter night.

8-10 medium potatoes, diced 3/4 in square
1 cup chopped onion
1 Tbsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 pkgs. Weight Watcher's Chicken Broth and Seasoning (I have used 2 chicken broth cubes)
3 cups coffee creamer
1 gallon water
1 cup flour
1 stick melted margarine
Add all ingredients except creamer, flour and margarine into water and bring to a boil. Mix flour, creamer, and enough water to make thin paste. When potatoes are done, slowly pour in flour, creamer mixture, stirring constantly. Add margarine. Enjoy!! This makes a huge pot. You would probably need to invite lots of friends or cut the recipe down.