Mom's Baked Minestrone - Crockpot Style

Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 lbs stewing beef
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans condensed beef broth
• 2 (10 1/2 ounce) cans water (use the beef broth cans to measure, you can choose to use more beef broth instead of water if you li)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons italian herb seasoning (or use basil and oregano mixture)
• 1 (1 lb) can tomato (do not drain)
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans (do not drain)
• 1 3/4 cups black olives (canned, pitted, reserve 1 cup liquid)
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 cup macaroni, small seashell (uncooked)
• 2 cups zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Recipe

• 1 in a skillet, heat the 2 tbs olive oil over medium heat. brown beef for about 7-8 minutes. remove beef, add about 1-2 cups of liquid (water or broth) onions and cook for about 5-6 minutes. remove from stove, add beef, onions and remaining ingredients (except parmesan cheese, this is to sprinkle on the soup after serving) in crock pot. set for 8-9 hours on low.
• 2 **last time we made this, we also added turnips and green beans, came out great!**.