TDS Day 2: Crockpottery Goodness

Is crockpottery even a word? Well, it is now. In day 2 of Twenty-one days of something, I would like to share another fabulous crock pot recipe. This one is perfect for those cool, windy, rainy Autumn days. Or, just about any day really, and it's really easy. Here we go:

Slow Cooker Veggie Beef Soup

INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. ground beef
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 29oz. can Italian style stewed tomatoes, drained
2 15oz. cans mixed veggies, drained
1 quart beef broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce*
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce*
1 teaspoon paprika
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup dry fusili pasta

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and add garlic, onion and bell pepper. Cook until the meat is done and the veggies are tender. Drain and put it all in the crockpot, along with all the other ingredients. (I put everything else in while the meat was cooking). Cover and cook for 7 hours on high. During the last 20 minutes of cooking time, pour in the dry pasta and mix to cover it, then put the lid back on. *These are optional - I was out of both so I didn't use them.

We had this last night and it was a huge, huge hit. I served it with yummy whole wheat dinner rolls. I plan to make it again real soon and this time add the soy and Worcestershire sauce.