Amish Friendship Soup

1/2 cup dry split peas, sorted and rinsed
1/2 cup dried lentils, sorted and rinsed
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 cup small pasta, ditalini or tubetti
1 pound ground beef
3 quarts 3 quarts water
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

In a 1 ½ pint jar, layer the first seven ingredients in the order listed. Seal.
Remove pasta from the top of jar to be used later.
In a large pot, brown ground beef and drain.
Return cooked ground beef to the pot, add the water, tomatoes, and the remaining soup ingredients except the pasta.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Add pasta and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.

Notes
Add other vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions to the soup.