Pasta E Fagioli Soup

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced (I use 1 Tbs chopped garlic from the jar)
1 small onion, diced
1 large carrot, julienned
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, undrained
1 can great northern beans, undrained
1 15oz. can tomato sauce
1 12oz. can V8 vegetable juice
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 lb ditali pasta, cooked al dente and drained


Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in large dutch oven pot. Add carrot and celery. Simmer 10 minutes, then add remaining ingredients except pasta and simmer 1 hour.
Add cooked pasta, simmer an additional 5 minutes.