Minestrone Soup

We had this soup in between conference sessions today. Soup is one of our favorite meals and we absolutely love this one!


Here is the recipe....



1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium leek (white portion only) chooped (I bought these and for 1 leek it was $2.64 and you can't even taste it..so I would just for-go it)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I just bought a can of them)
6 cups beef broth
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes
3 cups shredded cabbage
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained (I don't like beans and Landon doesn't like garbanzo so we didn't put these in)
1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a soup kettle, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery, leek and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add zucchini and green beans, cook 2 minutes longer.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 45 minutes.

Return to a boil. Stir in garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Serve with Parmesan cheese.