Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans

INGREDIENTS
* 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
* 1 medium-to-large yellow onion, finely chopped
* 2 carrots, scrubbed clean, finely chopped
* 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
* salt
* Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
* 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes* or fresh garden tomatoes
* 4 cups vegetable broth or beef broth
* 2 cups water
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, omit if sensitive to spice
* 1 or 2 cans of Romano beans or red kidney beans.