Minestrone Soup

Serves: 6 or so in Time: 9 hrs.

1 lb. ground Italian sausage

1/2 lb. ground beef

4 carrots, sliced

3 stalks celery, sliced

2 onions, chopped

2-3 C. water

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes

Various spices as desired

1 C. elbow noodles, uncooked

1 can (15 oz.) garbanzo beans

-Brown Italian sausage and ground beef, seasoning as desired.

-Combine all ingredients except noodles and beans in crock pot. Cook approximately 8 hours on low.

-Add beans and noodles, allow to cook for 30 additional minutes before serving.

-Add sour cream and shredded cheese to individual servings to taste.

Notes: You can put basically anything in here; we have added both chicken bullion or beef bullion (2 cubes worth). We have used spices like basil, oregano, red pepper, garlic, or anything else we happen to grab. You can use spicy Italian sausage. I accidentally bought sweet onions this time. Everything we have tried is great, except for the time I forgot to season it all together--that was bland. Add water until the tomato broth is the desired consistency, but remember that some water will cook out of the vegetables before serving. We love this with a fresh loaf of french bread. Also, it makes enough that if your family is small, plan for leftovers or try freezing half.