Pasta Fagioli

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. Great Northern beans
4 qts. water
1 c. olive oil
3 tbsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil, crumbled
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 lb. sm. shell macaroni, cooked
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Boil beans with 4 quarts water in large pot over high heat for 15 minutes. Blend in olive oil, minced garlic, tomato paste, salt, basil and oregano. Continue boiling until beans are tender, about 1 1/4 hours, adding more water as necessary. Stir in cooked macaroni. Add Parmesan cheese and pepper. Serve hot.