Italian Pasta and Beans (Pasta Faggioli)

A totally vegetarian, healthy dish that is delicious and comforting. Loaded with fiber, low in fat and calories...healthy doesn't get much better than this! Serve with crusty Italian or French bread :)

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 8 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup  ditalini or 1  cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1  tablespoon olive oil or 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 1  carrot, finely chopped
• 1  stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1  clove garlic, minced
• 1  can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (white kidney beans)
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4  cups water
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese or 1⁄4 cup  locatelli cheese
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Cook pasta as box instructs, in boiling salted water.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot.
3. Add onion, carrot and celery and cook for 15 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Add garlic and cook one minute more.
5. Add beans, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and water and heat to boiling over high heat.
6. Reduce heat to low-med heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.
7. Stir in drained pasta, cheese and parsley and cook until heated through.