Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli

Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli

Course :	Pasta
From:	HungryMonster.com
Serves:	8

Ingredients:

1	pound	ground beef
1	small	onion -- diced (1 cup)
1	large	carrot -- julienned (1 cup)
3	stalks	celery -- chopped (1 cup)
2	cloves	garlic
14 1/2	ounces	diced tomatoes
15	ounces	red kidney beans (with liquid)
15	ounces	great northern beans (with liquid)
15	ounces	tomato sauce
12	ounces	V-8 juice
1	tablespoons	white vinegar
1 1/2	teaspoons	salt
1	teaspoon	oregano
1	teaspoon	basil
1/2	teaspoon	pepper
1/2	teaspoon	thyme
1/2	pound	ditali pasta -- (1/2 pkg.)

Preparation:

1. Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat. Drain off most of the fat. 2. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes. 3. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour. 4. About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook the pasta in 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of boiling water over high heat. Cook for 10 minutes or just until pasta is al dente, or slightly tough. Drain. 5. Add the pasta to the large pot of soup. Simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve.