hamburger minestrone

I once looked up the definition of minestrone - it's a vegetable soup whose common ingredients include beans, herbs, tomatoes, and a meat broth.  I love minestrone because it's both filling and light.  But, I didn't happen to have beans at the time.

My solution - add meat.

So here you have it - a beanless soup with added meat.  It's still delicious, light, and filling.  And, it can still technically be called minestrone because it is, at heart, a vegetable soup with herbs in a meat broth.

And who doesn't love that?

 

Hamburger Minestrone

• 1 lb. lean ground meat (beef or turkey)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 6 cups water
• 28 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 bouillon cubes (beef or chicken)
• 2 t. Italian seasoning
• 3/4 t. salt
• 2 zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 cup uncooked macaroni

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, cook the meat, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.  Add the water, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, celery, bullion cubes, Italian seasoning, and salt; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are just tender.  Add zucchini and macaroni; simmer for additional 15 minutes or until tender.