Hearty Minestrone

From Taste of Home

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 2 batches

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground pork
• 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans
• 2  cups tomato juice
• 1 (15 ounce)  beef broth
• 3  medium carrots
• 1  medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1  tablespoon  italian seasoning
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  cup ziti pasta, uncooked

Directions

1. In Dutch oven, cook pork, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
2. Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, broth, carrots, zucchini, Italian seasoning, salt, sugar if desired and pepper. Brink to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until carrots are tender.
3. Transfer 6 cups of the soup to a freezer container; freeze for up to 3 months. Add water and pasta to remaining soup; bring to boil. Cover and cook until pasta is tender.
4. To use frozen soup: thaw in the refrigerator. transfer to a large saucepan. Stir in water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add pasta; cover and cook until tender.