Minestrone Soup....submitted by Beverly

Serves 12

1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild)
4 cups water
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 onions, chopped
2 or more carrots, cut up
1 quart jar tomatoes
2 ‑ 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
2 cans condensed beef broth
½ teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
½ teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 ‑ 16 oz. can cut green beans (undrained)
1 ‑ 16 oz. can garbanzo beans (drained)
1 handful macaroni (uncooked)
Parmesan cheese for topping

Boil the sausage with the 4 cups of water until it is no longer pink. It helps to mash it with a potato masher. If desired, cool in frig overnight and skim off the fat. Add the remaining ingredients except for the beans , macaroni and cheese. Simmer 2 ‑ 6 hours.

About 10 ‑ 15 minutes before serving add the two kinds of beans and the macaroni. Cook until pasta is barely tender. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese. Serves 8 adults (with a salad bar)