Pasta Fagioli Soup

This soup is uber yummy! I made it tonight with some fresh bread. I would highly recommend it. I adapted it to my needs from this site. http://iowagirleats.com/2012/09/13/copycat-olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup/  

Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe
(Makes about 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1/4 small onion, chopped 
• 3 small carrots, chopped 
• 1 stalk celery, chopped 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 c water water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 ounces ditalini pasta, uncooked. 

Directions:

1. In a large pot, over Medium heat, cook the ground beef. Drain. 
2. Stir in the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.  Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, red and white kidney beans and water.
4. Season with the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and thyme and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. When the soup has 7 minutes left to simmer, add the pasta. 

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer.