Pasta Fagioli

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup onion, minced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced (approx 3 garlic cloves)
1 cup carrots, minced
30 oz cooked cannellini beans, low or no sodium (rinsed/drained if using canned)
15 oz canned tomato sauce, low or no sodium
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional- omit if you don’t like spice or add to taste at end
4 cups vegetable stock, low or no sodium
2 cups water
1 cup ditalini pasta, gluten free if necessary (about 5 oz)

Directions:

In a large pot on the stove, heat olive oil. Sauté onions, garlic and carrots in olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent and softened.
Add tomato sauce, spices, stock and water to the pot, bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
While the soup cooks, drain + rinse beans.
After the soup has cooked, add raw pasta and cooked beans. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, about 4-6 minutes (cook time will vary depending on the pasta shape you use)
Important: you should undercook the pasta. Once you remove the pot from the heat the pasta will continue to cook and absorb the broth. Feel free to add more broth to your liking.
Once cooked, discard bay leaf. Serve + enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions
Important: This recipe is best when made on the stovetop. The pasta can easily get overcooked in the instant pot.
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté for 5 minutes. Add olive oil. Sauté onion, carrot and garlic until onions are translucent and softened..
While veggies cook, drain + rinse beans.
Make sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the instant pot to avoid a burn notice. Add in the pasta, beans, seasonings, water and broth to the pot. Pour the tomatoes on top. Do not stir it.
Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes and do a quick release once the soup has cooked.
Once cooked, discard bay leaf. Stir + enjoy!
Optional but recommended: You can cook your pasta on the side to avoid it being over cooked. Depending on the pasta size, this can easily over cook in the instant pot.

Crockpot Instructions
Important: This recipe is best when made on the stovetop. The pasta can easily get overcooked in the crockpot.
In a large pot on the stove, sauté onions, garlic and carrots in olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add to crockpot base.
While veggies cook, drain + rinse beans.
Add tomato sauce, spices, stock, water and beans to the crockpot base. Do not add pasta! Stir until combined and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
The last hour of cooking, add your raw pasta to the crockpot. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for the remaining hour. You can also cook your pasta in a separate pot and stir it in the soup.

Important: you should undercook the pasta. Once you remove the crockpot from the heat the pasta will continue to cook and absorb the broth. Feel free to add more broth to your liking if soup becomes too thick.
Once cooked, discard bay leaf.

I await your comments! Enjoy!