I made this soup because:

1. It is my favorite soup at Olive Garden

2. I have been craving it and

3. I am a part of a freezer soup swap.

It turned out very well and makes a ton! I thought it tasted VERY similar to Olive Garden’s recipe. I found the recipe at cdkitchen.com. You can go there and alter the total amount you wish to make (this recipe makes 3 qts.) and it will change all the amounts of ingredients for you.

Here is what you need for 3 qts. (serves 6)

2/3 lb Ground beef
4 oz chopped onion (about 1/2 of a medium)
4 2/3 oz slivered Carrots
4 2/3 oz diced celery
16 oz tomatoes, canned, diced
2/3 cup cooked Red Kidney Beans
2/3 cup cooked white Kidney Beans
32 oz beef stock
1 tsp. Oregano
3/4 tsp. Pepper
1 2/3 tsp fresh, chopped Parsley
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
16 oz Spaghetti sauce
3 oz dry pasta bow tie macaroni (or noodle of choice)

Pillsbury freezer french baguettes (or bread of choice)

Step 1: Chop up your onions, celery and carrots

Step 2: Brown the hamburger in a 10 qt. pan until it browns

Step 3: Add onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes. Simmer about 10 minutes.

Step 4: If you are making this for a freezer meal, you will stop cooking at this point. Once the veggies and meat have simmered for a bit, let them cool down to room temperature.

Step 5: Then I add your meat and veggie mixture to a gallon freezer bag along with the drained & rinsed beans; beef stock, oregano, pepper, tabasco, spaghetti sauce and parsley.

Step 6: Measure out your noodles and put in a separate baggie to use when you make your dish. Do not freeze your noodles with the soup.

Step 7: Lay your soup down in your freezer (make sure it’s sealed well!) so that it will freeze flat, label your bag with date and reheating directions and use for another day!

Reheating Directions:

1. Thaw soup (in fridge over night or place in a bowl of cold water for a few hours)

2. Add soup and uncooked noodles (don’t forget these!)to your pot and let simmer for 45 minutes or until everything is tender and warm!

Step 3: While the soup is simmering, bake your bread and fix a nice salad

Enjoy!