Pasta and Lentils

Method

1. Heat oil in a pot over heat.
2. Add chopped celery, carrot, onion, and a garlic clove. Let them stew with a little broth.
3. Cut smoked pancetta into cubes and add to the soffritto. Let it sweat and brown.
4. Remove the garlic.
5. Add the lentils and stir to coat.
6. Add the broken chili pepper and tomato passata.
7. Tie together thyme and rosemary and add to the pot.
8. Cover with boiling broth, lower the heat, and cook for 40 minutes.
9. After 40 minutes, remove the herb bundle and add the pasta.
10. Cook the pasta, adding hot broth if needed, for about 10 minutes.
11. Season with salt and pepper at the end.
12. Turn off the heat. Add grated parmesan and mix.
13. Add some hot broth for a creamier texture, or leave it thicker.
14. Let it rest for a couple of minutes.
15. Serve and garnish with thyme leaves.