Minestrone Soup

This great, easy soup comes from Shari Hurst. I threw it in the crock pot on the morning of a busy school day and everyone was happy come dinner time. It's even better the next day!

Ingredients

4 c. canned tomatoes

4 c. water

1 (10 oz.) can consomme (I used beef bouillon)

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

4 large celery ribs, diced

3 large carrots, diced

2 large onions, chopped

1 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. parsley

1 clove garlic

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 lb. bulk sausage (I used dice pork)

1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans

1 (10 oz.) can green beans

1 c. noodles of any kind

salt and pepper to taste

Put tomatoes, water, consomme and tomato sauce in a large soup pot. Add diced celery, carrots and onions. Stir in basil, oregano, parsley, garlic and sugar. Fry sausage (or brown pork). Drain fat. Add meat to soup. Simmer slowly 5 hours. Add beans and noodles and simmer 1 hour or until noodles are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.