Pork and Bean Minestrone Soup

A quick an easy soup to make on a busy day using canned pork and beans and leftover cooked ham. Substitute crispy well-drained bacon bits or other cooked meat for the ham if you like. Use any small macaroni you have on hand, and adjust the seasonings to your taste. Serve with thick crusty bread and butter, either plain or spread with garlic butter All-Purpose Herbed Butter and toasted under the broiler.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups beef broth, canned
• 1⁄2 cup cooked ham, chopped
• 1  small onion, finely chopped
• 1  medium carrot, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup celery, diced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon oregano (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup elbow macaroni, raw
• 1 (14 ounce) can  pork and beans in tomato sauce

Directions

1. Combine beef broth, cooked ham or other cooked meat, onion, carrot, celery, thyme and oregano in a large saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in raw macaroni.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer.
5. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender.
6. Add pork and beans and heat thoroughly.
7. Add additional liquid if necessary. (I use the water drained from boiling potatoes for making soups, gravies, sauces or use canned broth).