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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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