Pasta E Fagioli

If you love the Olive Garden restaraunt, this is a copycat recipe of their pasta fagiole soup. It is very close but not exact. I got this from topsecretrecipes.com. I'm sure you'll love it.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 1  cup onion (diced)
• 1  cup carrot (julienned)
• 1  cup celery (minced)
• 2  garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans  canned diced tomatoes
• 15  ounces kidney beans (canned with liquid)
• 15  ounces great northern beans (canned with liquid)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 24  ounces  v- 8  vegetable juice
• 1  tablespoon vinegar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1  teaspoon oregano
• 1  teaspoon basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme
• 1⁄2 lb ditali pasta

Directions

1. In a large pot, brown the beef, and then drain the fat.
2. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, saute over med-low heat for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except pasta, Simmer for an hour.
4. About 50 minutes into the simmering, cook the pasta in a seperate pot until al dente, drain, and add to the soup.
5. Simmer another 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite bread and salad and enjoy.