San Francisco Minestrone - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef or 1 lb turkey
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrot
1 cup finely sliced celery
1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped and undrained
3 cups water
2/3 cup Minute Rice, uncooked
2 cups shredded spinach leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus
1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation

In a large saucepan sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, brown meat and onion. Add carrots, celery, undrained tomatoes, and water. Mix well to combine.
Bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in uncooked rice, spinach, basil, and black pepper.
Re-cover and continue simmering for 10 minutes or until rice and vegetables are tender.
When serving, top each bowl with 1 1/2 tablespoons cheddar cheese.