Cozy Italian Comfort: Hearty Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe

Steaming bowls of pasta e fagioli soup warm hearts on chilly evenings, bringing a comforting Italian tradition right to your kitchen table.

This rustic recipe blends tender beans and pasta in a rich, aromatic broth that speaks of generations of home cooking.

Packed with savory herbs and hearty vegetables, the soup creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each spoonful tells a story of simple, nourishing ingredients combined with love and care.

The robust mixture of cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, and short pasta makes this a complete meal that satisfies from the first bite.

Fragrant rosemary and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevate this classic soup from good to extraordinary.

Prepare to savor a true taste of Italian comfort that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Pasta e Fagioli Soup Ingredient Essentials

• Onion: Provides aromatic foundation with sweet, mellow depth to the soup's flavor profile.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and bright orange color, boosting nutritional value.
• Celery: Contributes subtle herbal notes and crisp texture to the vegetable mix.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that elevates the entire soup's taste.

• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that offer smooth texture and hearty protein boost.
• Kidney Beans: Rich, robust beans that add earthy flavor and additional protein content.

• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing vegetables and adding rich, smooth base flavor.
• Broth: Creates the soup's liquid foundation, providing depth and moisture.
• Diced Tomatoes: Bring bright acidity and chunky texture to the soup.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken the soup.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends traditional herbs for authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Rosemary: Offers piney, aromatic herb note with subtle woody undertones.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and spicy dimension.

• Ditalini Pasta: Small tube-shaped pasta that perfectly captures soup's broth.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, bright green garnish with clean herbal flavor.
• Basil: Provides sweet, peppery herb note for final aromatic touch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers salty, nutty finish that enhances overall soup complexity.

Soup Tools You’ll Need for Pasta e Fagioli

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Perfect for creating and simmering your soup with plenty of space.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable chopping and preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup into individual bowls.
• Cheese Grater: Used for sprinkling fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

Cooking Pasta e Fagioli Soup to Rich, Hearty Perfection

• Fire Up the Flavor Base

Warm olive oil in a hefty pot and toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften for a few minutes, then invite garlic to the party for an extra punch of aroma.

• Build the Soup's Foundation

Splash in diced tomatoes and tomato paste, then sprinkle Italian herbs and a hint of rosemary. Let the ingredients mingle and create a rich, fragrant base.

• Create the Liquid Landscape

Pour in broth and welcome cannellini and kidney beans. Bring everything to a robust boil, then dial down the heat and let the soup simmer and develop deep, comforting flavors.

• Introduce the Pasta Magic

Drop in ditalini pasta and let it swim and soften. Watch the soup transform into a hearty, soul-warming meal. Add extra liquid if the soup looks thirsty.

• Final Flavor Flourish

Taste and tweak the seasonings. Ladle into bowls and crown with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Your comforting Italian-style soup is ready to embrace hungry diners.

Seasoning and Add-Ins That Work in Pasta e Fagioli

• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced texture in every spoonful. Smaller, consistent cuts help ingredients blend seamlessly.
• Use homemade chicken or vegetable stock for deeper, richer flavor. Low-sodium store-bought broths work well if you prefer controlling salt levels while cooking.
• Cook pasta directly in the soup to absorb maximum flavor, but add it slightly before serving to prevent overcooking. Reserve some extra broth to adjust consistency if needed.
• Transform this classic into a vegan version by replacing chicken broth with vegetable stock and omitting Parmesan cheese. Gluten-free friends can swap regular pasta with chickpea or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
• Enhance depth by adding a parmesan rind during simmering or stirring in a splash of red wine. Crispy pancetta or bacon can provide delightful crunch and smoky undertones for meat lovers.

How to Serve Pasta e Fagioli Like a Cozy Classic

• Cozy Comfort Meal Companion: Serve this hearty soup with warm, crusty Italian bread perfect for dunking and soaking up all the delicious broth.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top just before serving to enhance the rich, savory flavors of the soup.
• Winter Warmth Pairing: Create a complete meal by adding a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing to balance the soup's robust and filling nature.
• Rustic Dinner Delight: Complement the soup with a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to elevate the overall dining experience and bring out the soup's deep, Italian-inspired flavors.

Store Pasta e Fagioli for Lunches That Last

• Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Add pasta separately when reheating to prevent mushiness. Keep cooked pasta in a separate container and mix just before serving to maintain perfect texture and prevent absorbing too much liquid.
• Divide soup into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners. Label with date and contents to track freshness and simplify meal planning.

Hearty Pasta E Fagioli Soup

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty comfort flows through this classic Italian pasta e fagioli soup, blending rustic beans and tender pasta in a rich, savory broth. Warmth and tradition merge in each spoonful, inviting you to savor authentic flavors straight from an Italian kitchen.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 cup ditalini pasta (or other small pasta)
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Sauté: In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Gently sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and translucent, releasing their delicate flavors. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to bloom for a brief moment, creating an enticing fragrance.
2. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Allow these ingredients to meld together, creating a rich and complex base for the soup.
3. Liquid Harmony: Pour in broth and fold in cannellini and kidney beans. Elevate the mixture to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to marry and develop deep, comforting flavors for approximately 15-20 minutes.
4. Pasta Integration: Introduce ditalini pasta directly into the simmering soup. Cook until the pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, naturally thickening the soup. Adjust liquid consistency by adding broth or water as needed.
5. Final Refinement: Calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced taste profile. Serve in warm bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley or basil and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a luxurious finish.

Notes

• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Use fresh rosemary and parsley instead of dried herbs for more vibrant, authentic taste and aromatic profile.
• Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente consistency, preventing mushy pasta.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly version or use whole wheat pasta for added nutrition and fiber.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg