Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)

Source: 1, 2, 3

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bacon (optional)
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, sliced diagonally 1/4" thick
• 8 oz Orecchiette (half a box)
• 2 cans cooked Italian white Cannellini beans (14 oz each)
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 bunch Italian parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• red pepper flakes
• 1 tbl dried Italian herbs
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tbl tomato paste
• 1 quart chicken stock
• Parmesan (grated)

Directions

1. in medium saucepan over moderate heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add sausage and sauté, until brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan
2. Add onions and salt and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. 
3. Add bay leaf, red pepper flakes, rosemary, 
4. 3 tbsp tomato paste and garlic for 30 seconds
5. Add in stock, sausage and simmer for 5 minutes
6. Add 1/2 lb of Orecchiette pasta and 1/2 tsp of pasta, simmer for 10 minutes
7. Add in the 2 cans of cannellini beans
8. Reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, uncovered, until heated through, 3 to 6 minutes.
9. Take out bay leaf, throw in chopped parsley
10. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and bread

Notes

• Pretty good, decently easy to make. Ate it with garlic bread.