Martha's Vegetable Beef Soup

In honor of my mother, who tweaked this recipe for several years. We served this at my house on Christmas night when I was growing up. Great served with cornbread!

1lb ground beef
1 10oz package frozen mixed vegetables
1 can beef broth (can use low sodium)
1 14oz can stewed tomatoes
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/4 c dry onion soup mix
1 T sugar

Brown the beef in a pot (sometimes I add minced garlic and onion) until brown. Drain off excess fat. Add all other ingredients and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20-30 more minutes (or longer if you have the time).

The longer it cooks and sits together the better it is. It freezes really well too!

Pumpkin Cornbread and Pumpkin Chili

Great idea for fall comfort food here...

Tortellini Soup

* 1 package tortellini (I used Buitoni whole wheat cheese, found in the refrigerated section)
* 1 jar spaghetti sauce
* 1 box chicken broth
* 1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
* 1 can creamed corn
* 1 T dried minced onion (you could also use half an onion, sauteed in olive oil)
* 1/2 tsp garlic salt
* 1 tsp Trader Joe's 21 Salute Seasoning (or any good seasoning blend)

Toss it all in the pot, bring to a boil for 5-10 minutes, simmer for 20 minutes to an hour. Serve topped with parmesan cheese and a good chunk of bread, preferably
Tastefully Simple Bountiful Beer Bread. Enjoy!

Ham & Bean Soup

Found this online at about.com & have made it twice now-very tasty & perfect for the leftover ham!

INGREDIENTS:
8 cups water
1 pound Great Northern beans or navy beans
2 cups cubed ham
1 ham bone or ham hock, optional
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
various seasoning to taste *my addition
1 bay leaf
1 carrot, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped or sliced thinly
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

PREPARATION:
Bring water and beans to a boil; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour.
Stir in ham, ham bone or hock, pepper, bay leaf, carrot and celery. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beans are tender (skim foam from top), about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If soup is too thick, add a little water. Remove ham bone or ham hock (if used) and trim meat from bone. Return meat to soup with tomato sauce and salt; simmer for about 15 minutes (or until ready to serve) Remove bay leaf.

Slow Cooker Fresh Vegetable-Beef-Barley Soup

Here's one of our fall favorites!

Feel free to substitute any & all veggies that you have on hand. Also to save $$, instead of buying the already cut beef stew meat, I buy a nice chuck steak & cut it up myself.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeId=36020