ITALIAN MINESTRONE

By colfaxkathy

Filling enough to be served as a main dish for an informal party, this minestone can be teamed with an antipasto, crisp bread and dessert of fruit and cheese

Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 1/2 Lb. Ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 Cup chopped onion
• 1 Cup sliced celery
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can (6 oz.) Tomato Paste or Canned Tomatoes
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp oreganotg
• 3 Cups water
• 1 can (16 oz.) Italian Zucchini
• 1 can (7 3/4 oz.) Early Garden Spinach
• 1/2 Cup macaroni, cooked
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Cook bacon until crisp; remove from skillet. Brown meat in bacon fat. Add onion, celery and garlic; cook until tender. In a large saucepan, combine bacon, meat mixture, tomato paste, bouillon cube, salt, oregano and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add zucchini, spinach and cooked macaroni; Simmer until pasta is heated. Serve hot topped with cheese.

8 servings (1 Cup each)