Hearty Bean Soup - Serving Dumplings

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 7 ounces smoked bacon bits
• 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 6 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 carrots (large, diced)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste
• 3 cans (15 ounce/400 g) cannellini beans (drained, divided)
• 5 cups chicken broth (divided)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 ounces pearl couscous
• 2 ounces grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (more for serving)