Minestrone Soup

Here is a hearty soup perfect for cold winter evenings. 

Original post March 2010:
This is one of those tasty, wholesome soups that is a meal in itself. (Most of the time I omit the meat and it's still delicious.) This recipe also works in the crockpot as long as ingredients are added in stages: beans first for a couple hours, then vegetables, then pasta last (or added at end, fully cooked).

Minestrone Soup

1.5 lbs (or less) cooked beef stew meat, lean, chopped - optional
Heaping 1/2 c. dry white beans
Heaping 1/2 c. dry great northern beans (or navy)

Cook above ingredients (following bean cooking instructions-under #3), then add the following ingredients:

3 cans beef or chicken or vegetable broth (or homemade bone broth)
2 1/2 c. water
2 medium sweet or regular onions, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. carrots
2 c. small zucchini
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 can Italian style tomatoes (cut with juice)
1 c. dry seashell (or other) pasta

Toppings (not shown in picture):
fresh Parmesan cheese
16 oz. can olives