Description
Hearty Italian classic Pasta e Fagioli warms hearts with rich, comforting flavors from Olive Garden’s beloved recipe. Simmering herbs, tender beans, and perfectly cooked pasta blend into a rustic meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (diced)
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
Remaining Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 carton (32 ounces / 946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) ditalini pasta
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh basil (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, then introduce ground beef. Crumble and brown meat for approximately 3-4 minutes until no longer pink.
- Extract browned beef from pot, draining excess fat, and temporarily reserve to the side.
- In the identical pot, incorporate diced carrots, onions, celery, and minced garlic. Gently sauté vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they transform slightly translucent and fragrant.
- Reintroduce previously cooked beef into the vegetable mixture, then integrate diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Thoroughly blend all components.
- Pour in Great Northern beans, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Allow mixture to gently simmer for 8-10 minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Add ditalini pasta along with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency.
- Once pasta is tender and soup has thickened, remove from heat. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and limiting additional salt, perfect for those watching their salt intake.
- Rinse canned beans thoroughly to cut down on excess sodium and improve digestive comfort for sensitive stomachs.
- Prep vegetables in advance and freeze for quick weeknight meal assembly, saving time and ensuring consistent chopping size.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 23–25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 298 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg