To-die-for Vegetable Beef Soup

Yesterday in Iowa was filled with snow, wind, blah, blah, blah.....same story, different winter. For those of us that live here, we do often wonder....why?

In my opinion, the only solution to a dreary day like that is soup. Who doesn't LOVE a bowl of hot soup on a cold day? I personally like that kind that makes your nose run every time you take a bite. If only I could puree it and put it in little man's bottle, maybe it would help his cold!

What is your favorite kind of soup?

My Vegetable Beef Soup recipe is so easy, I promise even the "non-cook" can do this. It is simply dump, turn the crock pot on low and forget. Especially for those that work outside the home, it can easily be assembled the night before, placed in the fridge and set on low before you walk out of the door the next morning. So simple, it is almost a joke.

Vegetable Beef Soup

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained

1 bottle V-8 low sodium vegetable juice

1 can low sodium beef stock

1 can green beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 c. chopped carrots

1 c. chopped celery

1/2 lb. pasta of choice (I used bow ties)

1 T. minced garlic

1 t. basil

salt/pepper

Place all ingredients in crock pot, except for pasta. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before serving add pasta to cook and stir every 15 minutes or so until pasta is al dente.

Tell me your favorite soup and share the recipe!

Oh, and I tried a Chocolate Mint Larabar last night after dinner....yuck! Not my favorite by any means. Has anyone else had this flavor? The mint had too much of a alcohol taste for me (which I usually like!) I think I'll stick to my favorite flavor so far - banana bread.