Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Olive Garden Copy Cat)

Pasta e Fagioli soup is another Olive Garden staple that I love and this copy cat recipe is a great homemade version. It tastes so much like the original. It is a hearty, beefy, soup that is perfect for a cold night and it's surprising fast to put together (takes about 30 minutes). I got this recipe from I Heart Nap time and changed it just slightly. I served it with these bread sticks and some Parmesan on top and it was delicious. My whole family, including my 1 year old, gave it thumbs up.

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

1 lb hamburger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3/4 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
1, 11.5 oz can V8 juice (I used spicy)
1, 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1, 15 oz can tomato sauce
4 cups chicken stock
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1, 15 oz can kidney beans, undrained
1, 15 oz can great northern beans, undrained
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
2 cups ditalini pasta

In a large soup pot brown the hamburger. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add V8, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken stock, beef bouillon, kidney beans, great northern beans, red wine vinegar, basil, oregano, and thyme. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and simmer for 20 minutes or until pasta is cooked through. Serve with grated Parmesan on top.