Name: Hearty Beef Minestrone Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8
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) 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)

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. With the addition of ground beef this stew-like minestrone is hearty enough to be a main course. Both kids and parents will love this recipe.

Yields8 Servings

Prep Time15 minsCook Time40 minsTotal Time55 mins

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) 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 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.

Ingredients