Aunt Jennie'S Minestrone - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped onions
2 1/2 c. chopped canned tomatoes
1 1/2 qt. water
1/2 tsp. thyme (optional)
1/4 tsp. sweet basil
1 Tbsp. salt
1 c. sliced raw carrots
1 c. cubed raw potatoes
1 c. shredded cabbage
1/2 c. chopped raw celery
1/4 c. uncooked rice
1 c. extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
pepper to taste

Preparation

In a large pot, crumble ground beef and add all the ingredients except the cheese.
Cook for 1 hour over low heat, stirring now and again.
During the last 5 minutes or so of cooking, add the cup of shredded cheese, mixing it into the minestrone.
When serving, you can add some shredded cheese on top of the minestrone.