Simply Minestrone Soup

I threw this together tonight and it was so good and very simple.  All 5 of my kids gobbled it up and declared that "it is the best soup EVER!"  Maybe they were just really hungry? :)  But really, it was very delicious and satisfying.  It's made from ingredients I always have on hand.  I put some fun little alphabet pasta in and my kids loved that!  The pasta comes in little 7 oz. sacks that are perfect for one recipe of soup.  I threw in some yummy kale because I have so much and everything's better with kale, right?  Kroger has had huge bunches of kale on sale for 56 cents lately.  Heaven!

Simply Minestrone Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1 can green beans, drained
2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes (I used Italian seasoned)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 (14 oz.) can white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1 cup dry pasta
2 cups chopped kale, packed
salt & pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in large soup pot.  Saute onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until golden.  Add zucchini, green beans, and diced tomatoes.  Stir in vegetable broth and water.  Add beans, oregano, and basil.  Simmer about 15 minutes.  Add pasta and kale and simmer for about 10 minutes more or until pasta is soft.  Season to taste with salt & pepper.  Enjoy!