2 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
1 onion, peeled, chopped
1 large or 2 small very ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
600g/1lb 5oz mixed vegetables (such as courgette, fennel, swede, potato, sweet potato, leek, celery, carrot or peas), chopped into 1cm/½in cubes
1 x 400g/14oz can beans (such as cannellini, borlotti, haricot or chickpeas), drained and rinsed
½ tsp dried chilli flakes
80g/2¾oz dried pasta, such as penne
2 fresh bay leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3-4 pinches dried mixed herbs (such as rosemary, oregano and thyme)
90ml/3¼fl oz extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
1 litre/1¾ pints chicken or vegetable stock, preferably home-made
50g/2oz freshly grated Parmesan (or alternative vegetarian hard cheese)