Beefy Bean Soup

This is my winter, chili alternative. It is a little less spicy than chili which makes it a GREAT soup for kids. It reheats wonderfully for leftovers and freezes well too.

Beefy Bean Soup
1, 29oz can tomato puree
1, 14.5oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
1 can beef broth
2 cubes beef or chicken bouillon cubes
1 t basil
1 t dried oregano
1 cup uncooked, whole wheat macaroni noodles
1, 16 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1, 16 oz can great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 t minced garlic (wet or dry)


Brown beef, celery, onion and garlic together until meat is no longer pink and veggies are tender. Drain.

Combine meat and all other ingredients into crockpot. Cook 4-5 hours on low. The longer it cooks the softer the noodles will be.  Makes 8 servings or enough for a family of 3 to have lots of leftovers.