Bean Bolognese

1 14-ounce can of beans, rinsed, divided (White beans are really good in this)
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 green or red pepper, chopped (opt.)
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped celery (opt.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4-1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4-1/2 tsp. basil
8 ounces pasta (fettucini, spaghetti, etc.)
Parmesan cheese to top

Chop veggies. Mash 1/2 cup beans in a small bowl with a fork. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, pepper, carrot, celery, garlic and salt; saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Add bay leaf. Add chicken broth; increase heat to high and boil until most of the liquid evaporates, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juices, parsley, oregano, basil, and the mashed beans. Bring to a lively simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Add the remaining whole beans; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Meanwhile, cook pasta in the boiling water until just tender. Drain. Discard the bay leaf and top the pasta with the sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan. Yields: about 4 servings.

Price Guesstimate: $6-ish.

Steph's Comments: I got the idea for this dish off of the Eating Well web site (http://www.eatingwell.com/), but I added my own touch to it (I like LOTS more flavor than they were suggesting!). I was so pleased with how it turned it out. I'm a total bean girl and a total tomato girl, so this was my kind of dish. It was really yummy over the noodles, but while I was eating it I thought it would also be really yummy over some hard bread, with cheese on top, broiled. Yum, yum. In fact, I might make that for myself for lunch tomorrow with the leftovers. I will definitely be making this one again. And it's nice and cheap because the beans replace the meat, but you still get protein and fiber! Sidenote, though, it's not very kid friendly because it has LOTS of chunky veggies. Next time, just to save my ears from all the whining, and so I don't waste an ounce of the sauce's yumminess, I might just give my kids canned spaghetti sauce over their noodles and then make them eat some veggies on the side. :)