Slow Cooker Pasta and Bean Soup

olive oil

slices bacon (chopped)

medium onion (chopped)

stalk celery (chopped)

carrot (peeled and chopped)

garlic (minced)

low-sodium chicken broth

dried lima or pinto beans (soaked overnight (see notes))

dried split peas or dried red lentils

bay leaf

uncooked small pasta (rigatoni, farfelle, rotini, etc.)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper