Recipe: Hearty Minestrone (quantity recipe, 30-35 servings)

HEARTY MINESTRONE

6 quarts chicken or beef broth
2 1/2 cups dried small shell pasta*
1 (#10/102 ounce) can Contadina Whole Tomatoes and Juice**
7 cups canned kidney beans, drained
7 cups diced, cooked chicken or beef
7 carrots, peeled and sliced
7 stalks celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Bring broth to boil in large pot. Add remaining ingredients, except Parmesan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20-25 minutes, or until pasta and vegetables are tender. Garnish each serving with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

*To avoid overcooking, pasta may be cooked separately and added to the soup when the vegetables are tender.

**Chop or crush tomatoes, if desired.

Makes 30-35 servings
Source: Can label recipe - Contadina #10 Whole Tomatoes with Juice