Hearty Meatless Minestrone

Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 cup chopped cabbage
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
3-1/2 cups water
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Hunt’s® Original Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
1 can (8 ounces) Hunt’s® Tomato Sauce
3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup small pasta shells
Fresh basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, saute onion in oil for 2 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, cabbage, green pepper, zucchini and garlic; saute 3 minutes longer. Stir in the water, tomatoes, beans, tomato puree, tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Stir in pasta; cook 12-15 minutes longer or until tender. Garnish each serving with basil and cheese if desired.
   

Serves 8

Recipe from Taste of Home