This one tastes just like Olive Garden's.
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced (approx. 1 cup)
1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)
3 ribs celery chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can red kidney beans (with liquid)
1 15 oz.an great northern beans (with liquid)
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 12 oz. can V-8 juice
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1/.2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 pound (1/2 pkg.) ditalini pasta
1. Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat. Drain off most of the fat.
2. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlicv and saute' for 10 min.
3. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour.
4. About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook the pasta in 1-1/2 to 2 qts. of boiling water over high heat. Cook for 10 min. or just until pasta is al dente, or slightly tough. Drain.
5. Add the pasta to the large pot of soup and simmer for 5-10 min. and serve.
Serves at least 8