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September 16, 201210 Comments
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I’ve been making this stew for so many years now, I’ve lost count. The original recipe is mostly my mother’s and I’ve tweaked this version slightly for the freezer. Instead of referring back to my scribbled notes each time, I’m posting an update here just for me.
If you have need of a HUGE recipe for a fantastic Italian Soup, this is for you too! If you have no need for a ginormous batch of this soup, I recommend making no more than half of this recipe, possibly even reducing it to a quarter of this size.
Remember the warning on my Spicy Five Bean Chili with Steak and Sausage? This recipe makes even more. It fills my 12 quart pot within two inches of the top. Why so much soup? Because, this is my family’s favorite soup.
My husband takes it to work with him for lunch at least once a week. Every single one of my boys requests this soup over all others and they eat every bite of it each time it is served.
I keep 2 cup containers of this soup stacked in my freezer year round. This batch made enough for me to take a meal to a friend, serve my family and still stack 10 more servings in the freezer.
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Hearty Italian Beef, Bean, and Vegetable Stew
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Servings: 24 -36 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 very large yellow onion 2 cups diced small
- 2 lbs carrots 8 cups peeled and sliced thin
- 1 bunch celery 4-5 cups sliced thin
- 3 29 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 29 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 29 ounce can tomato sauce
- 3 cups cooked or 2 14 ounce cans light red kidney beans
- 3 cups cooked or 2 14 ounce cans great northern or cannellini beans
- 4 cups hot water mixed with 2 tablespoons beef base I use Better Than Bouillon
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked kosher salt
- 29 ounce bag frozen green beans
- 29 ounce bag frozen corn
- Optional: finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In the bottom of an enormous stock pot, over medium high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with the onions. Season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. When the beef is cooked, drain any excess grease. There is very rarely any substantial grease in this mixture when I cook it, but depending on the meat you are buying, you might need/want to drain it. Add all remaining ingredients, except for the frozen vegetables.
Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to about medium/low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the carrots are slightly softened. After 20 minutes, add the green beans and corn and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for just a few minutes until the green beans and corn are tender.
Serve warm, topped with cheese if desired. Enjoy!
FREEZER MEAL: If you are interested in making this to keep in the freezer, be
careful to slightly under-cook the vegetables, as it makes the soup much
nicer when it is reheated. Mushy vegetables are never fun! Let the soup cool completely before transferring to freezer
safe containers. Soup can be heated in the microwave or it can be thawed first
and then reheated on the stove-top.
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!
Filed under: Beef, Freezer, Italian / Mediterranean, Main Dishes, Recipes, Soups
Tagged with: Beans
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Mary Younkin
Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.
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Reader Interactions
10 Comments Leave a comment or review
Yummy Mary, love all the great veggie in here. Your photo is so enticing too, makes me want a bowl right now!
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Sounds like a great stew. I love all the vegetables and seasonings that you have in this one.
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Blond Duck says
It sounds delicious!
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Johanna says
Perfect for the coming chilly weather. Beautiful photos!
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David and Leah says
Could I use fresh tomatoes diced up instead of the petite diced tomatoes? I have a lot from my garden that need to be used.
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David and Leah says
I forgot to add that I am planning on freezing most of it–would I need to peel the tomatoes first? I am mainly concerned with the peels tasting funny later after it thaws, but maybe they won't matter…?
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Mary says
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. I do that if I have an abundance of them in the summer. I've never peeled them and I've never noticed a funny taste. I hope that helps!
David and Leah says
Thank you! I should have thought to ask before, but do you think I could throw in some zucchini and a little extra moisture? I have a lot of that too 😉
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Mary says
I love zucchini in this soup, however, it will not freeze well. I would add the squash to a small portion of the soup that you will be eating right away. If you are only making the soup to freeze, I would not recommend adding the squash. It will be very mushy and tends to fall apart in the soup after freezing. Hope that helps!
Erin says
Delicious!! Made it last night.
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