Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli

1 pound ground beef
3/4 - 1 cup diced onion
3/4 - 1 cup diced carrots
3/4 - 1 cup diced celery
2 - 14.5 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes (or a 28 oz can)
1 - 15 ounce can red kidney beans (with liquid)
1 - 15 ounce can great northern beans (with liquid)
1 - 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 can water (use tomato sauce can)
1 - 12 ounce can V-8 juice
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup elbow macaroni (3 oz)
shredded Parmesan or Mexican-Blend cheese


Brown ground beef in large saucepan and drain off most of fat. If your hamburger is as lean as mine you won't need to drain it.
Meanwhile, dice vegetables. I used my Pampered Chef Food Chopper.

Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to hamburger. Saute for 10 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients except for pasta. Simmer for 45 minutes - 1 hour or until veggies are tender.
Meanwhile cook pasta. When soup has finished cooking, add pasta to the soup. Serve with shredded cheese or grated Parmesan on top.

TO FREEZE....cool and place in freezer bag or vaccuum seal bag. When you are ready to use just thaw and reheat!
** To make gluten-free, use rice noodles. I used Tinkyada PastaJoy Brown Rice Penne I picked it up at Wal-Mart.

Oatmeal Scotchie Cookie

1 cup soft butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 medium eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup butterscotch chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cake shaped pan. Using an electric mixer, cream butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Scoop into pan. Bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on baking sheet or cooling rack.

NOTE: I used a 10" springform pan for easy removal. Cool cookie COMPLETELY before trying to move it as it is very soft when it comes from the oven.

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 pkts Truvia (or 1-1/2 teaspoons loose) or a couple teaspoons of sugar
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup bacon (diced, fried, and drained)
1/2 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
1 head broccoli


Mix all but broccoli together.
Break broccoli head apart into nice bite size pieces. No one wants to chew on a tree when they are eating a salad.

Mix, chill, enjoy!

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