Hearty Minestrone Soup

2 tablespoons LAND O LAKES® Butter
1 1/2 pounds (3 cups) cubed 1-inch beef stew meat
3 medium (1 1/2 cups) onions, chopped
2 medium (1 cup) carrots, sliced 1/4-inch
2 ribs (1 cup) celery, chopped
2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning*
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
8 cups water
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 teaspoons salt
2 medium (2 cups) potatoes, cubed 1/2-inch
2 medium (2 cups) tomatoes, chopped
1 small (1 cup) zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed, drained
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 6-quart saucepan until sizzling; add beef.
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is
browned (8 to 10 minutes). Remove beef from pan. Set aside.
Combine remaining butter, onions, carrots, celery, Italian seasoning
and garlic in same saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring
occasionally, until vegetables are crisply tender (5 to 6 minutes).
Add browned beef, water, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes, zucchini and
salt to vegetables. Continue cooking until mixture comes to a full
boil (10 to 12 minutes).
Reduce heat to low. Cover; cook until vegetables are tender (20 to 30
minutes). Stir in kidney beans. Continue cooking until heated through
(2 to 3 minutes).
Makes 10 (1 1/2-cup) servings.

*Substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons each basil, dried marjoram leaves and
dried oregano leaves.

Nutrition Facts (1 serving):
Calories: 290
Fat: 11 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sodium: 540 mg
Carbohydrates: 31 g
Dietary Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 18 g