SOUP'S ON!~Minestrone (crockpot style)

Don't expect anything as gourmet as Tasty Tuesdays or Gourmet Lisa. I am no chef, but I am a fan of easy meals. I also love soups and seeing as it is so chilly outside, I thought I'd share this yummy CROCKPOT minestrone soup.

I made it on Monday, but didn't take any pictures, so I borrowed one from Google.

Usually Justin helps me get everything cut up and in the crockpot the night before (then it goes into the fridge till the morning). We usually do it after Aubrey goes to bed and it takes about 15 minutes.

In Crockpot: (cook for about 8 hours on low-add extra veggies after 7 hours)

1 pound lean stew beef (1/2 in cubes)
6 cups of water

1 large (28 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice

2 beef bouillon cubes

1 medium onion

2 tablespoons dried parsley

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons thyme

1/2 teaspoon pepper

I also added 1/2 bag of baby carrots chopped up

2 celery stalks chopped up

In a freezer baggie to add an hour before the soup will be done: (after 7 hours add)

1 med. zucchini thinly sliced

2 cups cabbage finely chopped (you can cook this ahead of time, but I didn't and it was great)

1 can garbanzo beans drained

COOK 1/2 cup small pasta and add before serving

grate some paremesan cheese and VIOLA!

It really is EASY (and healthy- check out all those veggies) if you prep it the night before.

I have a couple of other yummy soup recipes that I'll try to share. My butternut squash soup is NOT one of them ;) I wasn't a fan.