Pasta e Fagioli (Olive Garden)

Cooking spray
1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1/2 of a small 1 lb. bag of baby carrots, chopped
5 stalks of celery, diced
2 (14.5 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (32 oz.) carton + 1 (14.5 oz.) can of beef broth (I also used an additional can of beef broth)
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 1/4 tsp pepper
2 1/2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped (I used dry)
3/4 tsp tabasco sauce
1 jar (1 lb. 10 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 cup dry small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
salt to taste

Brown ground beef in oil. Drain if necessary.
Add onion, carrot, celery and diced tomatoes. Simmer 10 minutes.
Add beans, beef broth, oregano, pepper, parsley, tabasco sauce and spaghetti sauce.
Simmer soup on low for about 30-45 minutes until carrots are almost tender.
Add pasta to pot and simmer on low for about 15-30 minutes until pasta is just shy of al dente. As the soup cools, the pasta will absorb the broth. You can cook the pasta separate and add it to the soup after the soup has cooled.

Tortilla Soup with Black Beans

Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) tomato sauce (I used low sodium)
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels (I used a 15 oz. can of corn, also low sodium)
- 1 cup water (I accidentally omitted this with no ill effects)
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips, plus more for serving (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
- Mexican cheese, for sprinkling on top
- Dried or fresh cilantro, also for topping

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Cook garlic and chili powder until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, beans, broth, corn, and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper.

2. Bring soup to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add tortilla chips; cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime juice, and season with salt and pepper. Serve soup with lime wedges and, if desired, more chips. Sprinkle with cheese and cilantro.

Minestrone

Ingredients
1.5 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
4 cups beef broth
1/2 cup water
1 (14oz)can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup canned great northern beans, drained
3/4 cup green beans, cut
1 cup green cabbage, rinsed and shredded
1 zucchinis, quartered and sliced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. pepper
3/4 cup small pasta, such as ditalini
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping

In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic and onions for 2 to 3 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 3 to 5 minutes.
Add broth, water and tomatoes,green beans and zucchini, bring to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes. Then add beans,pasta, cabbage, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 14 to 16 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Chicken & Rice Soup

Ingredients:
1 32oz carton of fat free chicken broth
3/4 cup chopped rotisserie chicken (or any precooked chicken)
1/2 small onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/4 cup of long grain rice, uncooked
1 tablespoon of EVOO
Seasonings to taste (I used salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and parsley)

Directions:
1- In a deep pot heat the oil. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes.
2- Pour in the chicken broth and rice.
3- Cover, bring to a boil for about 10-15 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
4- Add the chopped chicken and seasonings, taste and adjust as needed.
5- Allow to simmer over low heat for about 5-10 minutes.
6- Serve hot.

Chicken Noodle Soup

ngredients:
2 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (I used leftovers from whole roasting chickens)
olive oil
kosher salt
ground black pepper
2 quarts chicken stock
1 C medium-diced celery
1 C medium-diced carrots
2 C wide egg noodles
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350°. Coat the chicken with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes or until no longer pink in the center. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Once the chicken is cooled enough to handle, remove the bones and skin and cut up or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces (or whatever size you desire in your soup).

In a large soup pot, simmer the chicken stock, adding the carrots, celery and noodles. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are completely cooked. Add in the chicken and parsley and simmer until fully heated. Serve.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

(Serves 8-10)

1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I used leftover chicken from this recipe)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cheddar cheese soup

1 large can Ro-tel (use regular diced tomatos for a milder soup)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 green pepper, diced

1/2 white onion, diced

2 jalepenos, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced

1 roasted red pepper, diced

1/2 cup frozen corn

2 cups chicken stock

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (if desired, depends on how hot your jalepenos are)

1 cup shredded colby jack cheese

Corn tortillas or tortilla chips

Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot (I used my 6 qt and had plenty of room), starting with soups, tomatos and stock, stir until well mixed and add in vegetables, beans and garlic. Add chicken, cumin and chili powder. Cook on high for 2 hours. Taste and add cayenne pepper if desired. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 2 hours. Add shredded cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Brown tortillas in a small skillet with a small amount of oil, sprinkle with garlic salt (I use Lawry's) and cut into small pieces. Ladle soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips or crushed chips and more cheese if desired.