Pasta Fagioli

I got this recipe from my good friend Chantel.  She got the recipe from her mom who made it up based on the soup from Olive Garden.

1 small onion, chopped

2-3 carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. ground beef

salt & pepper

3-4 handfuls pasta

2 cans Italian style tomato sauce

1-2 cans red kidney beans

water

parmesan cheese

crushed red pepper flakes

Heat oil in a pot and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic; saute until tender.  Add beef and brown; pour off fat.  Add tomato sauce and use cans to add 2 cans of water; toss in pasta and cook until pasta is done.  Add kidney beans and cook until heated through.  Serve into bowls and top with parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.