Minestrone Soup

1 lb ground sirloin
½ c onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 (15 ½ oz can crushed or diced tomatoes)
2-3 cans beans (1 black, 1 chili, 1 kidney)
1 (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 t oregano
1 t basil
1 t thyme
1 bay leaf
½ t salt
¼ t black pepper
1 small package cheese filled tortellini

Brown ground sirloin (if you used a fattier ground beef, drain the grease). Separately, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Mix all ingredients and cook until carrots are crisp-tender and tortellini is done. Serves 8-10.

By S. E. Thomas