Reviewed: Dec. 9, 2005

This soup is excellent! It makes quite a bit, but no one in my house complained about eating it a few times! From the advice in all the other reviews, I used fresh minced garlic, 2-10 oz. cans of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilis (instead of the 28 oz. can), 1-15 oz. can of tomato sauce (instead of the paste) and small star pasta. It was perfect. The ingredients provide lots of different textures, and it is not a heavy soup. Thanks Bea!

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Steffunny

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Glendora, California, USA

Living In: Portland, Oregon, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 2, 2005

I wanted a healthy, good soup to give out in jars for this Christmas. This recipe had rave reviews, so I tried it before giftgiving. I thought that the soup was mediocre. It was a bit bland, and I will not be giving it away as gifts. Maybe I didn't like it because I am not a bean lover ... although I do like Chili. Thanks for the recipe though.

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THATCHICKINPA

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Reviewed: Nov. 24, 2005

I made this last Xmas for gifts, but used different beans for color. It took forever to cook, tasted fine tho. After reading the reviews, I'll try it again using the right beans. Thanks for the additional suggestions.

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IBMAG

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Reviewed: Nov. 13, 2005

While it looks pretty in the jar, and is a hearty, healthy soup, it does need a kick. Try doubling the spices and adding some crushed red peppers and you'd have a winner. The Classico spaghetti sauce jar did work great.

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Double-Oven Lovin'

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Prior Lake, Minnesota, USA

Living In: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 13, 2005

compliments all around from everyone I gave the soup to. I added a little curry powder to add some bite, which was needed.

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SHEIN

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Reviewed: Feb. 7, 2005

Excellent!! I used this as gifts for friends and family for Christmas presents three years running...I wasn't sure I would have time this year, and I had people CALL me and ask if I was making "the soup" this year!! Also great made with a rotel type of tomatoes and diced or ground chickin if you aren't a beef fan. Good luck!

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KATELOLOSMOM

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Reviewed: Jan. 17, 2005

Like others, I made this up to give out as gifts this Christmas and it was a big hit - most people thought I purchased it! I put the jar in a decorative basket along with a soup ladle tied with a pretty ribbon. The jar I used was bigger than needed, so I just wrapped the pasta in seasonal plastic wrap, then stuffed more in the top to hold things in place. I made the soup for myself too -- it makes a HUGE batch (better have a big pot!) and was really good -- nice and thick and filling. I froze it in single serving sizes and have been bringing it to work for lunch. Heats up well in the microwave and is just as good the 2nd time around. Thanks!

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DMC1958

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Reviewed: Jan. 5, 2005

WOW! I made 36 of these for Christmas gifts(Buy stock in Walmart as that's where I got all my ingredients and the jars :). I took others suggestions and used 2 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce and 1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes. I gave the soup mix along with a wooden spoon, the can of tomatoes and 2 cans of tomato sauce in a gift bag with a box of corn muffin mix. (The only thing the recipient had to provide was the ground beef, garlic powder, pepper and water). Needless to say, it was a HUGE hit and everyone that has tried this LOVES it. This recipe makes a ton, but those that had company over the holidays appreciated this no fuss meal that served a gang THANKS SO MUCH! Again, my dogs got a sampling in their dog food which they gave 5 stars to also. GREAT RECIPE

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Quilting Kathy

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Ishpeming, Michigan, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 27, 2004

I used less bouillon (just a cube or a packet) and elbow instead of alphabet macaroni. The jar looks great as a gift, and my friends enjoyed making it (altering the recipe to their taste of course!).

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MarieInNYC

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Reviewed: Dec. 15, 2004

I wasn't so sure about this soup, not being a fan of split peas and lentils, but Oh WOW!! This was soo great! I decreased the water by about a half a quart, like some one mentioned earlier, and I loved the thick consistancy. I substituted buffalo meat for the beef, used tiny star pasta, and use a 14oz can of crushed tomatoes w/spicy chili peppers, and a 14oz can of crushed tomato with garlic, also used tomato sauce instead of paste. This was sooo good!! I'm glad I tested out the recipe b/f sending out the gifts, b/c I doubt I would have made it otherwise. And now I'm putting this in my fav recipe rotation! I also could only find the 1 pint jars and the 1 quart, so I think I'll try using the pint and having the pasta in a little bag atached w/ a ribbon.

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Lolita Murrah

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Houston, Texas, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 14, 2004

I love this as a gift idea! Everyone gets candy and cookies at this time of year, and I love having a healthier option for people (which fits my personality). I love how pretty it looks, layered in a jar. I added a tsp. of chili powder (not spicy, just flavorful) with the Italian seasoning, which kicked up the color in the jar. I also had a very rough time finding jars. I finally found Pint sized canning jars at ONE grocery store in town. Then I put the pasta in a Christmas "treat bag" with a twist tie and tied it to the jar, along with the recipe card, with a Christmas ribbon. They are very cute. The only *bad* thing about this soup is how it looks after it's made. That is not appealing at all, but it tastes good and both of my boys (4 years old) ate it all....which is saying something.

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MOMMYOCOOLTWINS

Cooking Level: Expert

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Reviewed: Nov. 26, 2004

The first time I made Friendship Soup, I gave it a low review because the tomato paste made it unappetizing and I didn't like the combination of both the rice AND the pasta. I made it again last night by using an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce instead of paste, a 14.5 oz. can of Italian style diced tomatoes, no rice and double the pasta (whole wheat spirals), and it was a winner with my best friend, boyfriend, and me. I didn't have bouillion on hand so I used 2 packets of onion soup mix instead and seasoned it accordingly. I also couldn't find barley, so I doubled the lentils. I served it with cornbread, but garlic bread would be wonderful too. I could see this recipe being a wonderful starter for minestrone soup -- just add your own carrots, zucchini, potatoes, spinach, whatever. Yum :-)

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SIGMA28

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Magnolia, Arkansas, USA

Living In: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA

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Reviewed: Nov. 15, 2004

I used 2 packs of onion soup mix in place of the bouillon granules and onion flakes and I omitted the bay leaves. It worked out great. Any pasta will work for the alphabet pasta. The soup is quite thick, and will need stirred often to keep from burning. Adding more water helps. I used 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef and it was quite satisfying.

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LAURIESUE

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Reviewed: Sep. 5, 2004

I made this as part of a "dinner basket" for a new mom. I just used a pint jar, and left out the pasta. (I put it in a clear plastic bag tied up with a pretty ribbon.) The presentation was very pretty. I aslo made it for my family - minus the ground beef. Tasty! My husband can't wait to have it with the meat!

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Jocelyn Villalon

Home Town: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Living In: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

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Reviewed: Mar. 19, 2004

I gave this out as x-mas presents and all were impressed with how it looked. I also made up a batch (it makes a lot) without ground beef, and it's pretty tasty. Also freezes well.

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CLH201

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA

Living In: Aurora, Colorado, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 5, 2004

Thought the recipe was great, my family really liked it! I gave this away as teacher gifts for Christmas and as thank you gifts to close friends. It was a little thick and I added some water. Thanks for sharing the recipe

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TRACE3

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 3, 2004

Made this up to tuck in baskets this past Christmas and everyone seems to love it. Need to make a batch for me!

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SweetBasil

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: San Diego, California, USA

Living In: Liberty Hill, Texas, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 25, 2003

made this before deciding to give as gifts... I used tomato sauce instead of paste and cut down on the tomatoes, but I think the original 28oz diced tomatoes would've been better. Great recipe and presentation... I used the pasta sauce jars (as recommended by another reader) and a narrow measuring cup as containers. worked out perfect !

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dfwfoodie

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Reviewed: Dec. 23, 2003

This looks very pretty in the jars. I followed the tip of one of the reviewers and used 1/2 green and 1/2 red lentils - made a big difference in presentation. I made up a jar for my family and my pot wasn't quite big enough so only used 2 quarts of water.. turned out thick and rich.. yumm

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Colleen

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Living In: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

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Reviewed: Dec. 19, 2003

I just made three jars for gifts and they look great! As for the jar problem, Classico pasta sauce comes in 26 oz heavy mason jars.(Just soak off the label). They are almost square which shows off the mix beautifully, plus a regular mason lid, metal or plastic, fits perfectly. I use these jars for canning since they're so pretty and right between pint and quart size. I also put the pasta in small plastic bags and knotted them to prevent spilling when removing from the jar.

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VOREPLL

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Friendship Soup Mix in a Jar

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