Quick and Hearty Pasta Fagioli Soup

Ingredients

• 1  bay leaf 
• 15 ounce beans white drained canned (such as cannellini)
• 2 medium carrots chopped
• 1 medium stalk celery chopped
• 1.5 cups ham diced
• 1.5 cups ditalini pasta uncooked
• 1  garlic clove chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
• 2 tablespoons parsley fresh italian chopped
• 24 ounce newman's own tomato & garlic pasta sauce fire roasted
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 4 cups water 

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
4. Add carrot, onion, and celery and saut 3 to 5 minutes or until onion and celery are translucent.
5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant.
6. Add pasta sauce, beans, ham, water and bay leaf; bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Add cooked pasta, parsley, salt and pepper. Simmer an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
8. Remove bay leaf. Spoon soup into bowls and top evenly with Parmesan cheese.