1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
2 whole carrots diced
4 celery stalks diced
1 medium onion diced
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 cans 14.5 ounces each beef broth
2 whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste I added 1 tsp salt and ΒΌ teaspoon pepper
1 can 15 ounces cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 can 15 ounces red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup ditalini pasta uncooked
Add olive oil to a large skillet and add in ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
Place the beef in a slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients except for the beans and pasta.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 30 minutes before serving stir in beans and pasta.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaves before serving.