Very easy to cook! Some veggie preparation  but it wasn't too troubling. Its like a crockpot recipe (throw everything in), except you don't have to wait 6 hours for it to finish cooking.

I combined two recipes, to get a good mixture of ideas and ingredients. (I do that alot)

Ingredients

Veggies

• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• 5 medium minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup frozen cut green beans
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 stalks sliced celery
• 1 medium diced bell pepper

Cans

• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium sliced zucchini

Other

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups uncooked small pasta
• 3 beef bouillon cubes
• 3 cups water
• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

In a large pot: saute the onions, carrots, and garlic in olive oil for five minutes over medium heat.


Add celery, carrots, oregano, basil, and salt and cook for ten minutes.

Add bell pepper, zucchini, water, beef bouillon and tomato sauce. Cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes.


Stir in the pasta and beans. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

Add green beans and the can of diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes longer or until heated through. Garnish with  Parmesan cheese, parsley, and ground black pepper if you want.


Source:

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Shortcut-Minestrone-TasteOfHome
http://www.food.com/recipe/grandmas-minestrone-210822