Easy White Bean Soup

Ingredient:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, 4 teaspoons
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional for heat
• 2 (15oze) cans white beans, drained and rinsed, or substitute 3 cups cooked beans
• 6 cups (1.4L) chicken stock or vegetable broth
• 3 stalks fresh thyme or use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/3 cup (127g) small dried pasta like Ancini di Pepe, orzo, or pearl couscous
• 4 heaped cups baby spinach or torn kale leaves without stalks
• 4 lemon slices