One of my old neighbors used to make this veggie, beans and noodle soup - similar to minestrone but different too. I'm not Italian, so I don't know how or what it is properly called, but we call it Lent soup since it works perfectly for meatless Fridays during Lent. All three of my picky children love it when its time to make Lent soup and it tastes better the next day! This is really quick to throw together, but it does need to simmer for a few hours so plan on starting it by around noon if you want to eat it for dinner. Store leftovers covered in fridge. The pasta will absorb all the extra yummy broth so if you want it soup-like, you'll have to add extra water before re-warming (we leave it alone and just eat it like a thick pasta the next day!).