No Baked Potato Soup...

12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
7 cup milk
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 green onions, chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper

In a soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, whisking until thickened.
Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat, simmer 15 minutes.
Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Continue cooking, stir frequently, until cheese is melted.
Serves 6.

This recipe was given to me by my Aunt Julianne.

Taco Soup...

I know there are a million different taco soup recipes, this is the way we make it...

All cans undrained:

2-cans pinto beans
1-can rotel
1-can diced tomato
1-small can tomato sauce
1-can mixed vegetables
1- can corn
1- can hominy

1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing
1 pound browned hamburger/turkey

Mix all well and cook in the crock pot on low for 6 hours. You can also make this on the stove top.

We serve with cornbread and tortilla chips.

Quick Meatball Minestrone

Start to Finish 25 minutes.

YUMMY!!!!

1 12-16 ounce frozen cooked italian style meatballs
3 14 ounce cans reduced sodium beef broth
1 15-16 ounce Northern Beans rinsed and drained
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
1 10 ounce package frozen mixed veggies
1 cup dried small pasta...we love mini penne or piccolini
1 teaspoon sugar (i leave this out)
parmesan cheese

In a 4-quart dutch overn stir together meatballs, broth, beans, tomatoes, and veggies. Bring to boil. Stir in pasta. Return to boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered about 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and meatballs are heated through. Stir in sugar. If desired sprinkle with cheese. Makes 6-8 servings.

My tips: I didn't use sugar. I have used pinto beans instead of northern beans. I always add about 1 cup extra of pasta that way it is more of a "meal" than a soup. Aaron loves this one with bread as a meal. Oh I also don't have a dutch oven, so I just put it all in one pot and boil.

Pizza Soup

my friend jan emailed me this recipe today. says her family is IN LOVE with it. i thought it sounded yummy and thought ya'll might too...

Pizza Soup
1 c. water
1 c. chicken broth
1 c. tomato juice (can use pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce or extra diced tomatoes)
1 c. diced canned tomatoes and juice
1 small onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 garlic clove minced
3/4 tsp. dried basil
3/4 tsp. oregano
1/2 lb. Italian sausage, browned

Combine all ingredients, except meat.
Simmer 30 min. Add browned meat.
Serve with mozzarella cheese and thin Italian bread

Taco Soup

If you can work a can opener, you can make this family favorite. So easy and tasty.

2 # hamburger; browned and seasoned with S/P
1 onion; brown w/ hamburger

1 can Pinto beans
1 can Red beans
1 can Black beans
--drain beans really well and add to meat.

2 14oz cans Rotel
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
2 Hidden Valley Ranch packets
4 cups water
2 Taco seasoning packets (I add Ranch and Taco packets to the water and stir well)

Eat when soup is warm and flavors have blended. Serve with Fritos, cheese and sour cream.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

This recipe is originally from Angela. I love making this for new moms and sick kids. It is a hit at our house. Hope you enjoy. I usually double this recipe.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

3 chicken breasts ( or 1 rotisserie chicken picked clean)
1/2 cup onion
1/2 cup celery
1 cup carrots
3 cans chicken broth
1/2 t. thyme
1 cup dried tortellini pasta
1/4 t. pepper
1 T. parsley
1-3 Bay leaves ( I eyeball all the seasonings. Season to your taste)

Cut and cook chicken (or if using rotisserie, just peel apart meat). Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Season to taste.

Serve with fruit and corn bread.