Minestrone Soup - Soups 2010

Ingredients

• 1 cup carrots (julienne)
• 1 cup celery (chopped)
• 1/2 cup onion (diced)
• 1 med zucchini (julienne)
• 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 3 to 4 cans of chicken broth
• 1 can red kidney beans (15 oz)
• 1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz)
• 1 can flat green beans (15 oz)
• 1 can white beans (15 oz)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 can tomato sauce (29 oz)
• 1 cup small pasta shells
• 1/2 lb lean ground beef (optional)
• Salt
• pepper
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• Parmesan cheese (freshly grated) for topping