Homemade Meat Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) olive oil
• 1 (150-250 g) small to medium onion
• 8 oz (225 g) extra lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey
• 2 (10 g) cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) dried red pepper flakes
• 2-14 1/2 oz (411 g) cans low sodium beef broth
• 14 1/2 oz (411 g) low sodium canned stewed or diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) dry red wine (optional)
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 2 (150 g) carrots, diced
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1-2 ml) hot pepper sauce
• 14 1/2 oz (411 g) low sodium canned Great Northern, Kidney, pinto or garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (300 g) medium zucchini
• 1 cup (150 g) elbow macaroni or other short pasta
• 2-3 cups (70-100 g) packed spinach, washed, trimmed and torn
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) fresh basil