Recipe: Savory Minestrone (using frozen mixed vegetables and canned beans)

SAVORY MINESTRONE

"Minestrone is a rich vegetable soup made with beans and pasta. It's really a meal in one bowl; serve with some toasted garlic bread and tall glasses of milk."

4 cups chicken broth
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained*
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

In large saucepan, combine chicken broth and vegetables; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

When broth boils, add beans, basil, oregano, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, lower heat, and cook for 5 minutes.

Add macaroni; stir and simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, or until pasta is tender, then serve.

*Canned beans are a great convenience food to have on hand, but they do tend to be high in sodium. To reduce sodium, drain the beans, place them in a strainer or colander, and run cold water over them. Drain well again and use in the recipe.

Makes 6 servings
Source: The Everything Quick And Easy 30-minute, 5-ingredient Cookbook by Linda Larsen