1cupground beefbrowned and crumbled, about ½ pound uncooked. Leave this out for the vegan version
2cupsditali or macaroni pastacooked, about 2 ounces uncooked
1Tablespoonolive oil
½cuponiondiced
½cupcelerydiced
½cupcarrotthinly sliced
3garlic clovesminced
29ouncesdiced tomatoestwo 14.5 ounce cans
1cupred kidney beansdrained and rinsed* or half of 15.8 ounce can
1cupGreat Northern beansdrained and rinsed* or half of 15.8 ounce
8ouncestomato sauce
½cuptomato juice5.5 ounce can
2teaspoonsvinegar
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonoreganodried
½teaspoonbasildried
¼teaspoonpepper
¼teaspoonthymedried
Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
Prepare ingredients as indicated above. Brown ground beef, cook pasta, cut vegetables, open cans and drain contents.
Heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, celery, carrot and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
Add remaining ingredients to the pot and cook until heated through, about 10 minutes.
Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes more.
Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Leave out pasta to keep recipe South Beach Diet Phase 1 Compliant - and yes it is really tasty even without the pasta! *Use the other half of the beans to make a batch for the freezer. While you have everything out, fill up a plastic bag that seals with the ingredients. Or, just double the recipe and freeze the leftovers.