Pasta e Fagioli with Sausage

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet or hot bulk Italian sausage, or links, casings discarded
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 2-3 ribs celery from the heart, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 3-4 sprigs thyme
• Salt and pepper
• One container chicken broth (32 ounces), (4 cups)
• One can cannellini beans (18 ounces)
• 1 cup ditalini pasta
• Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, for serving
• Crusty bread, for mopping

In a soup pot, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Crumble in the sausage and cook, stirring, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, beans and 2 cups water, cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Stir in the ditalini, lower the heat and simmer until al dente. Discard the bay leaf and rosemary and thyme stems.

Serve the soup in bowls with a drizzle of EVOO and lots of cheese. Serve with bread for mopping.