Pesto Beans and Pasta

This is a recipe from a excellent new cookbook I received at Christmas this year:

Another example of a simple ingredients creating 'big' flavor!

I did not cook the whole thing in the crockpot, just my beans.

Chop and saute bell pepper and onion:

Add in bouillon, garlic, tomatoes and a little water and simmer:

Add in cooked beans and continue to simmer while you prepare the other components:

While this is simmering on low cook your pasta. Whole wheat penne for me and corn pasta for Brent:

You can buy store-bought pesto, but it is so easy to make your own at home: basil, garlic, olive oil and some parmesan in the food processor - this is Brent's forte. Buying the basil plant at the grocery store is usually cheaper than buying the little package of leaves and you can continue to have basil as long as you take care of your plant.

 Combine pasta with bean mixture, add pesto and extra parmesan on top. This was delicious, healthy and filling!