Minestrone Hamburger Soup

• 1 lb. Hamburger

• 1 cup chopped onion*

• 1 cup cubed raw potatoes*

• 1 cup sliced raw carrots*

• ½ cup diced celery

• ½ cup shredded cabbage

• 1 #2 can tomatoes or tomato sauce (2 ½ cups)

• ¼ cup rice (more for thicker soup)

• 1 small bay leaf

• ½ tsp. diced thyme leaves

• ¼ tsp. dried basil leaves

• 2 tsp. salt

• ½ tsp. pepper

• 1-½ quarts of water

Cook beef with onion until brown, drain, add potatoes, carrots, celery, cabbage and tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Sprinkle in rice and other seasonings.  Cover and simmer for 1 hour.  To serve, sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.  Serves six. 

*I usually add a little more of these ingredients.  For the carrots I buy a package of frozen carrots and use the whole package.  I have also substituted elbow macaroni for the rice.