Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef or loose sausage meat
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped onion
2 carrots, cut in chunks
1 cup cabbage, chopped
1 rib celery, cut in chunks
1 12-oz can tomatoes
2 cups kidney beans
2 cups white beans
1/2 cup fresh parsley
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 cup grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the ground beef or sausage in a large skillet on medium.
- Drain fat and add about 2 Tb oil.
- Add onion, garlic, celery and carrot and fry lightly until onion is translucent.
- Transfer to a big soup pot. Add the tomatoes, cabbage, chicken broth, water, Parmesan and salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer on medium-low heat. Cook for about 45 minutes. Taste-test and adjust seasonings, as needed.
- Add beans and parsley, cook for about 15 minutes more.
- Prepare ditalini pasta according to package directions. Add about a half-cup of pasta per bowl, then ladle hot soup over the noodles.
Serve hot, with warm, crusty bread.
