Pasta and Beans

It's a new year and we're trying a few new things. My goal into make more healthy dinners at home and try to have 2-3 meals a week with no meat. This recipe is one my Mom shared with us a few months ago that we love. It's super easy, we almost always have the ingredients, and it doesn't have meat.

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped carrots
1 (16oz) can kidney beans
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 clove minced garlic
1 (16oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. cracked red or black pepper
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 cup dry red wine ( or water)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup ditalini ( small pasta tubes)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Place all ingredients except pasta and cheese in a large skillet. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in pasta and cook for 15 minutes ( or longer until pasta is tender).

Parsley and cheese are optional. We don't use cheese right now because I can't eat dairy, and I only add fresh parsley if we already have it.

**I often have to add a bit of water once I add the pasta.**

Serve with a yummy salad.

Enjoy!

( Serves 4)