Saute the onion in the bottom of the pan and get nice and sauteed. Then ad the tomatoes and beans. Stir until it boils. Add seasoning. This is a kind of a guess recipe and i make if differently ever time. It's really on how ever you grew up with it and how ever you like it. I like to sautee the garlic with the onion and sometimes i don't. It's up to you. This soup is good for company that isn't always on time because you can keep it on low and it won't affect the consistancy any. You can make it up to an hour in advance.