Red Lentil Mushroom Ragu - Half Cup Habit

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 stalks celery (dices)
• 3 carrot (diced)
• 12 oz mushrooms (bella; roughly chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 1/2 cups lentils, red (dried; picked over and rinsed)
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes (crushed)
• 1 15 oz can tomatoes (diced)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 12 oz pasta (rotini (gluten free if desired))
• 1/2 cup reserved starchy pasta water
• parsley
• parmesan cheese (optional)