1 pound lean ground beef, ground pork or sweet Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 (19 ounce) cans ready to serve chunky minestrone soup
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can navy beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet cook ground meat and onion until meat is brown. Drain off fat.

In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker combine cooked meat mixture, minestrone, navy beans and water.

Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Serve soup in bowls with Parmesan cheese.

Makes 6 servings.