Mom's Minestrone Soup

I can never get mine to taste quite as delicious as Mom's, but the fam loves it.

Ingredients:

4 ribs celery, sliced
3 large carots, peeled and sliced
2 large onions, peeled and diced
2 T olive oil
1 tsp. basil
1 T parsley
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp. oregano
1-2 cloves minced garlic
4 C canned whole tomatoes
10 oz can beef consomme (I use beef bouillon)
4 C water
8 oz tomato sauce
1 lb Italian Sausage
10 oz frozen green beans
1 can kidney or red beans
1 C uncooked macaroni

Saute celery, carrots, and onions in olive oil. Add spices and saute until fragrant. Add whole tomatoes, beef consomme, water, and tomato sauce.

In a separate pan, cook Italian sausage, drain well and add to vegetables.

Simmer slowly for five hours. (In truth, I don't always go this long. More like 2 hours. )

Add green beans and kidney beans.

Add 1 C macaroni and simmer until tender.

Serves 12