Minestrone Soup

Well winter has made it's way to Michigan... cold, snow on the ground... My husband is doing the happy dance every time he sees a flake of snow... I on the other hand could be happy if the only snow I ever saw was on Christmas day and that was it... gotta have a white Christmas :)  LOL  anyway now is the time that homey comfort foods make you feel warm on the inside to help you brave that cold on the outside....
Minestrone soup is one of those yummy things.... alongside with some bread to dip in the broth ... life is good... enjoy

Don't be afraid of the long list of ingredients... you will probably have most of these items in your pantry.  I had to only buy the meat (you can only use ground beef or sausage if you don't have both) & kidney beans (but if you have another kind of bean use those). Any type of pasta works as well.  Use what you have.  Also, noticed when the soup was done after we had eaten, that the pasta continued to absorb the broth so I added more water.  It is supposed to be thick and have some broth but not like soup... More like stew... enjoy...

Minestrone

1/4 lb. ground sausage (I used Bob Evans)
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped (or use 1/2 cup baby carrots chopped
I can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can diced tomatoes
13 cups water
1 1/2 cups digitalini pasta,uncooked
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbls. sugar
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
1 Tbls. Worchester sauce
2 cans beef broth
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 cup Frozen vegetables for soup (or mixed vegetables)
Seasonings of your choice (I used dried parsley, onion & garlic powder, Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes, paprika, salt & pepper)

Crusty Bread (to eat with soup)
olive oil & parmesan cheese (optional)

In large stockpot over medium heat place oil in pan, put onion, celery & carrot in.  Saute for a couple of minutes.  Place sausage & ground beef in pan.  Cook breaking up meat and stirring vegetables until meat is done and vegetables are almost done.  Add remaining ingredients (EXCEPT KIDNEY BEANS & PASTA) stirring well.  Bring to boil turn heat down and simmer for a couple of hours stirring occasionally. Turn heat to medium high, add kidney beans and bring to a a boil.  Add uncooked pasta, stirring well simmer until pasta is done around 7-8 minutes or until al dente. Turn off heat.  Taste soup & adjust seasonings if necessary.   Serve in bowls drizzled with a little olive oil & a sprinkle of parmesan cheese... Enjoy