Freezer Meal Minestrone

Minestrone

Serving Size : 6 

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon parsley
1 pound sweet Italian Sausage
2 stalks chopped celery
2 chopped carrots
1 small chopped onion
28 ounces diced tomatoes
8 cups water
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 cubes beef bouillon -- crushed
1 cup macaroni -- uncooked

Cook and cut up sausage into bite-size pieces. Prepare vegetables. Place
everything except water, macaroni and parmesan into a freezer bag.

Freeze.

When thawed, put everything into a 6 quart crock pot and add 8 c. water.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add macaroni ½ hour before serving. Serve
with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

*Lia’s notes: I didn’t have beef bouillon—chicken was wonderful.

I didn’t want to take the time to thaw it, so I loosened it up by running hot water on the bag, then I threw it in frozen with the water and let it sit all day—nine hours! It was great.

I didn’t have two cans of diced tomatoes—I used stewed cut up, and it was great—I’m guessing better because they have more flavor.

I used tri-colored rotini for the macaroni and it was so pretty.

Using half the frozen recipe with four cups of water worked fine in the crock pot.

Salt and pepper when served, plus grated parmesan cheese, makes it SO good.s