pasta e fagioli (pasta fazool)

Ingredients For pasta e fagioli (pasta fazool)

• 6 slice

  bacon (substitute 4 oz. pancetta), diced
• 1 Tbsp

  olive oil or as needed
• 1 c

  chopped yellow onions
• 1 c

  chopped celery
• 1 c

  chopped carrots
• ground Himalayan pink salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 Tbsp

  Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp

  red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 5 lg

  cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp

  tomato paste
• 1 can

  diced tomatoes (substitute crushed tomatoes, 28 oz.)
• 6 c

  low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 lg

  bay leaf
• 1 c

  ditalini pasta (substitute acini di pepe, stelline or farfalline)
• 1 can

  pinto beans (substitute cannellini beans, navy beans, or great northern beans), drained and rinsed (15.5 oz.)
• 1 can

  red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15.5 oz.)
• 2 c

  baby spinach leaves (substitute arugula), packed
• 1/2 Tbsp

  freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp

  parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 c

  grated Parmesan cheese, for serving