Lenten Recipe: Pasta Vegetable Soup

Pasta Vegetable Soup
2 quarts water or vegetable stock (or a mixture thereof)
2 cloves garlic minced
2 onions
2 carrots
2 ribs celery
2 cans tomato paste
2 c cooked or 1 can small white beans
1 T oregano
1 T basil
1 t thyme
salt, pepper
1 lb Orecchiette

Combine all ingredients except the pasta in a large stock pot or crockpot. To cook on the stove bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for an hour. Add the pasta and cook another ten minutes. Serve.

To use a crockpot: Combine all ingredients except pasta and cook as long as you like-4 to 6 hours on high, 8 to 10 hours on low. Believe me: it does not matter. Near serving time, cook pasta according to package directions. Add pasta to soup. Serve.