Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe

Introduction

Pasta Fagioli is a comforting Italian soup packed with tender beans, vegetables, and small pasta. This hearty dish combines savory flavors and wholesome ingredients, making it perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup quartered carrots
• 2 15 oz cans cooked cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 dried bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Sauté the onions, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent and softened.
3. Step 3: Add the beans, tomato sauce, bay leaf, basil, parsley, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, vegetable broth, and water to the pot. Stir together.
4. Step 4: Cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This should take about 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, remove the lid and reduce heat to medium.
6. Step 6: Add the dry pasta and stir well. Cook over medium heat for half the recommended cooking time on the pasta package to ensure the pasta is undercooked.
7. Step 7: Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For best texture, always undercook the pasta in the soup since it will continue to soften as it sits.
• You can substitute ditalini pasta with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells.
• Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan before serving adds extra flavor.
• Feel free to add chopped kale or spinach towards the end of cooking for added greens.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened. Because pasta continues to absorb liquid, it may become softer upon storage.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Pasta Fagioli in an Instant Pot?

Yes, but the stovetop method is preferred for better control over pasta texture. If using an Instant Pot, sauté the vegetables first, then add beans, seasonings, broth, and water, placing the tomato sauce on top without stirring. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes and do a quick release. Cooking pasta separately to avoid overcooking is recommended.

Is this recipe suitable for slow cookers?

Yes, but similar to the Instant Pot, pasta can easily overcook in a slow cooker. It’s best to add the pasta during the last hour of cooking or cook it separately and add it just before serving. The rest of the ingredients can cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe

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Pasta Fagioli is a classic Italian soup combining tender cannellini beans, flavorful vegetables, and ditalini pasta in a savory tomato broth. This hearty, comforting dish can be made on the stovetop, Instant Pot, or crockpot, with clear instructions to ensure perfectly cooked pasta and rich flavors. It’s ideal for a warming meal any time of year.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup quartered carrots

Beans and Tomato

• 2 15 oz cans cooked cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 dried bay leaf

Herbs and Spices

• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Liquids

• 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups water

Pasta

• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion, minced garlic, and quartered carrots to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and the vegetables soften.
3. Add beans and seasonings: Stir in the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, tomato sauce, dried basil, parsley, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, vegetable broth, water, and the dried bay leaf. Mix well.
4. Bring soup to boil: Cover the pot and increase heat to high. Let the soup come to a boil, which will take about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Simmer and add pasta: Remove the lid, reduce heat to medium, and add the dry ditalini pasta. Stir and cook the pasta for about half of its recommended package time, ensuring it is undercooked since it will continue to soften in the soup.
6. Finish and serve: Discard the bay leaf before serving. Stir soup and enjoy hot.
7. Instant Pot option: Use the Sauté function to cook olive oil, onions, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes. Add beans, tomato sauce, spices, broth, water, and pasta (without stirring). Seal and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes, then quick release. Discard bay leaf and serve. Note: pasta can overcook easily in Instant Pot, so an alternate suggestion is to cook pasta separately.
8. Crockpot option: Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots on stovetop until soft. Add to crockpot with beans, tomato sauce, spices, broth, and water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add pasta during last hour of cooking and stir. Discard bay leaf before serving. To avoid overcooked pasta, cooking separately is advised.

Notes

• It is essential to undercook the pasta initially, as it will continue to cook and absorb broth after removal from heat.
• Discard the bay leaf before serving to remove the tough texture and bitterness.
• For Instant Pot and crockpot methods, pasta can overcook easily; consider cooking pasta separately to retain optimal texture.
• Adjust broth amount if the soup becomes too thick after pasta absorption.
• Using low sodium vegetable broth allows better control over saltiness.

Keywords: Pasta Fagioli, Italian soup, cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, vegetable soup, easy pasta soup, vegetarian pasta soup, comforting soup