elaine's easy pasta fagioli

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 large chopped carrot
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 clove chopped garlic
• 1 - 14 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup salsa, chunky
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 box mushroom, vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup any small pasta
• 1 can kidney beans (rinsed)
• to taste salt and pepper
• 1 cup water, more as needed
• 2 tablespoons chopped bacon ( optional) - brown the bacon first and remove from pot and then proceed)