My spin on a family recipe

Today I was missing my Gramma Hough's Tomato Beef Macaroni Soup.  She made THE BEST! So amazingly delicious, and there was rarely a bowl left when it was on the stove.  She had a way with the recipes, never measured, and it ALWAYS came out the same delicious way.  Heaven.

That being said, I decided to try my hand at it today since I had some ground beef already thawed.

Here is my recipe:

1 large can diced tomatoes
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 tsp minced garlic
1 lb. UNDRAINED cooked ground beef
1 can drained light red kidney beans (if desired)
1 lb. elbow macaroni
Salt, Pepper, and Herbs de Provence to taste

On medium heat simmer the tomatoes, garlic, and beans.  Brown the ground beef, and pour directly into the tomatoes.  Boil the noodles and leave the soup to simmer. Salt, Pepper, and Herbs to taste now.  When the noodles are cooked, pour 1 cup of the noodle water into the soup, and drain the rest of the water into the sink and rinse the noodles.  I kept the noodles separate from the soup and mixed separately into each persons bowl...I hate slimy, limp noodle. Serve with some delicious crusty bread and enjoy.  Laura