Fagioli - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 oz. pkg. dried kidney beans
4 c. water
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
8 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked
splash of red wine (if desired)

Preparation

Rinse and pick over beans.
Place beans and water in
a stock pot; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
Cover and let sit one hour.
Return to heat and simmer 1 hour longer. Drain, reserving 2 cups liquid.
Set aside.
Brown meat, onions, garlic, carrots and green pepper in the pot.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings.
Return beans and reserved liquid to the pot.
Cook 1 hour.
Add cooked macaroni and a splash of wine. Serves a crowd and freezes well.