Hearty Italian Pasta Fagioli Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish