This week’s Walmart Meal Solution is Minestrone Soup.  I haven’t yet tried Minestrone – although it has been in my recipe book and my list of to do’s forever.  But, I have two favorite soups that are very similar and are crowd pleasers.   But, first off, here are the ingredients you can score at Walmart.  Most of these items are Great Value brand, and I’m pleased to say these are all items that I was already purchasing and keep in my pantry – AND – Great Value is delicious.  I can’t tell a difference with these items.

• Great Value Chicken Broth
• Great Value Diced Tomatoes
• Great Value Dark Read Kidney Beans
• Great Value Elbow Macaroni
• Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
• Great Value Grated Parmesan

Now, on to my recipes.  One of my favorite soups is Pasta Fagioli.  This is very similar to the one at Olive Garden and everyone I’ve served it to loves it!  It is very hearty.

Another family favorite – and is even easier than the first – is Lazy Mama Vegetable Soup. What I love about both of these soups is that they rely on canned and dry foods that you keep on hand.  Having some pantry meals is a must for a busy mom.

One thing is for sure:  get the last pot of soup on quick!  The weather here is turning quick and before we know it we’ll be having those hot summer nights.  I love soup and I need to get one more bowl before I can let the summer in!

This post is part of a series on Making Meals Easier for Mom (Meal Solutions).  I hope you love it as much as I do!  Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms, Jenn at Frugal Upstate, Heather at The Domestic Diva, and Lori at My Wooden Spoon, to get a fresh take on a new meal plan each week.  Walmart has provided me with compensation and a gift card in return for this post. Participation in this program is voluntary.  All opinions are my own.

Photo Credit: All Natural Annie {.com}

This soup is a hearty, warming soup.   My husband loves it and I believe most husbands will considering it is not one of those dainty soups. =)  This chunky, rustic stew/soup is just what the doctor ordered on a cold day.  It is easily prepared too, and with ingredients you probably have on hand – in your pantry.  That makes it a lovely go to meal straight from the pantry to the table in about 30 minutes. Mmmm.

:: Garbanzo Bean Soup

4 large potatoes, peeled, washed, and diced into large chunks
1 can of Rotele
1 large onion, diced
1 package of beef brats (you can use any variety you like – I like beef) chopped into bit sized circles
2 cans of garbanzo beans (OR – about 2 cups dried cooked in the crock pot during the day)
2 cans (or 1 box) or chicken stock
3 cups of water

I use dried beans because I always have them on hand. I buy them in bulk (in the bulk bins) at Earth Fare and that way I always have them to make this soup, hummus, and falafel. I just measure out two cups of dried beans and put them in the crock pot with 6 cups of water and enough salt to make the water salty like the ocean. Then, I turn the crock pot on in the morning and by dinner time I just dump the whole crock pot – liquid and all into my Dutch oven/soup pot. I adjust the water in the recipe according to how much liquid was left in the crock pot. It works great because the liquid has so much flavor, it only adds to this wonderful soup!

Okay, so either way you go, here’s the “how to.” Place potatoes, chicken stock, and water into the Dutch oven/soup pot. When the potatoes are nearly tender (done) add all the other ingredients. Simmer until the ingredients are hot. If you notice that you would like more liquid (sometimes this happens to me, just add some more water or chicken stock (I usually add water). You really can’t make this wrong! Serve with crackers.