Crock-Pot Almost Minestrone

My diet continues, so you'll be seeing healthier recipes while I try to stay away from the desserts. This is one of those "dump" recipes that changes a little each time I make it. Use this recipe as a base and use what veggies you have on hand, add kidney beans or spinach, substitute ground turkey for the ground beef or leave the meat out altogether...whatever you like!

Crock-Pot Almost Minestrone

1/2 pound lean ground beef
3 carrots, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 small zucchini, quartered and sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (32 ounce) can beef broth
3/4 cup elbow macaroni

In a large saucepan, cook ground beef until well done. Drain the ground beef and put into crock-pot. Add carrots, zucchini, garlic, onion and celery. Season with basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes with juice and beef broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add the macaroni and turn crock-pot to high 30 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally.