Pasta E Fagioli Soup

This is a version of the hubby's favourite soup from the olive garden. It turned out a little too thick, so it needs some water or extra tomato sauce added.



1 lb ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 cup julienned carrot
3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans (with liquid)
1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans (with liquid)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 ounce) can v-8 vegetable juice
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 lb ditali pasta (I didn't have any, so I used mini elbows)

1. Brown beef in a large stock pot over medium heat, drain off fat.

2. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 10 minutes.

3. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour.

4. After 50 minutes boil pasta to al dente.

5. Drain well.

6. Add pasta to the large pot of soup and simmer for 10 minutes.