best ever crock pot pasta fagioli

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds sweet italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• ½ large red onion, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 2 sticks celery, sliced
• 2 14.5-oz. cans petite diced tomatoes, and their juice
• 1 15-oz.. cans light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-oz.. cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 4-6 cups beef broth (to a consistency you like)
• 1 26-oz. jars pasta sauce
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 tablespoon frank's red hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup dry spring-like pasta (added late in process)
• - optional garnish:
• - croutons
• - grated parmesan cheese