Beef Vegetable Soup

I so, so, so LOVE soup.

  It warms your soul and your body, makes the house smell good and is good for you.... Add whatever your family likes, and don't put in what your family doesn't like....that is what makes it good and easy to make.  Just dump, cook and dinner is done.  Great for working moms & dads who don't have alot of time.  (I have even not put in the chopped carrot & celery didn't have time and put in a whole package of frozen mixed veggies...turned out fine, just a little more flavorful with them in:)  This is just a basic version of soup, I usually clean out my veggie drawer when I make soup (I usually don't put in green pepper, or broccoli or cauliflower because those veggies tend to overpower a basic soup),,, This is a great way to get veggies into your children. Even my very picky 5 year old loves homemade soup... and it is so yummy....


1 1/2 lbs. cubed beef stew meat (you can also use a cubed roast, cheaper buy it when it is on sale)
8 cups water
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
1 pkg. Good Seasonings Italian dressing mix (dry)
1/4 cup red wine
1 carrot chopped (can use baby carrots chopped around 1/2 cup)
1 stalk celery chopped
1/2 package of Frozen Mixed Vegetables
2 T. sugar
1 can stewed tomatoes (cut right in can with kitchen shears who wants to dirty another dish?)
Seasonings of your choice (I use garlic powder, pinch of red pepper flakes, bay leaf, cracked pepper, seasoned salt (go light cause of soup mix ), no salt seasoning blend, parsley flakes,dried onions, splash of Worchester sauce
Wide noodles; uncooked


Directions:

In big soup pot place onion soup mix, and Italian seasoning.  Add beef to seasonings mixing well to coat beef.  Add remaining ingredients (EXCEPT NOODLES), mixing well.  Cook on medium high bring to boil, turning heat down to low ,place lid on pot and simmer for several hours until meat is tender and vegetables are tender.  Taste mixture to see if seasonings need to be adjusted.  Adjust seasonings if necessary.  Turn heat to medium high and bring soup back to rapid boil.  Add noodles, stir (I usually add a couple of big handfuls of noodles) and cook stirring occasionally until noodles are done. Serve with bread or biscuits(to sop up the yummy broth)... Enjoy


Can also do this in a Crockpot/Slow Cooker:  Place everything (EXCEPT NOODLES)in a Crockpot/Slow Cooker mixing well.  Cook on Low 8 hours or High 6 hours until meat is tender, and vegetables are done.  Add noodles to soup turning cooker on high (if not already) and stir and cook for around 15-30 minutes until done.  Enjoy.....