Hearty Lentil Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 large carrot (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 sprig rosemary (or thyme)
• 2 bay leaves (or sage)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown)
• 12 cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 4 cups vegetable broth (+ 2 cups for cooking the pasta)
• 1½ cups ditalini pasta (or other short pasta like penne, ditaloni, conchiglie, or rotini)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Italian parsley (chopped)