Amy's Minestrone

For the beans: 1/2 pound dried cannellini beans 1/2 gallon fat-free vegetable stock 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon salt (optional) For the soup: 2 (15 oz) cans recipe-ready tomatoes with juice 1 small can tomato paste 1.5 gallons vegetable stock 2 carrots, halved and sliced 2 stalks celery, sliced 2 yellow onions, quartered and sliced 3 cloves garlic, pressed 1 tablespoon each dried basil and oregano 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 pound fresh spinach, torn 6 oz egg-free dried pasta (tubetti or shells) Salt and pepper to taste