This restaurant-worthy pasta fagioli recipe is surprisingly easy (and cheap) to make at home.
What Is Pasta Fagioli?
Pasta fagioli (or pasta e fagioli), which means "pasta and beans," is a traditional Italian soup. It consists of small noodles (such as ditalini or macaroni) and cannellini beans in a seasoned tomato broth.
How to Make Pasta Fagioli
You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:
Pasta Fagioli Ingredients
These are the ingredients you'll need to make pasta e fagioli at home:
· Oil: This pasta fagioli recipe starts with cooking an onion in olive oil.
· Vegetables: You'll need an onion, celery, and a can of cannellini beans.
· Seasonings and herbs: The flavorful soup is seasoned with fresh garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt.
· Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth.
· Tomatoes: You'll need fresh chopped tomatoes and a can of tomato sauce.
· Pasta: Make this traditional pasta fagioli with ditalini noodles (or any noodle you like).
Best Pasta Fagioli Tips
"This entire recipe is cheaper than one bowl at Olive Garden," culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom) says of this pasta fagioli recipe. Here are a few of her best tips and tricks for making a perfect pot of Italian soup every time:
· Though the recipe calls for one can of chicken broth, Nicole uses more because she prefers her pasta fagioli a little more soupy.
· Many pasta fagioli recipes call for Italian sausage. You can add the meat if you like, but this top-rated recipe is pretty hearty as-is.
· To serve, Nicole likes to ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and fresh parsley.
![a bowl of pasta e fagioli in a white bowl with a spoon and two slices of bread](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/5FnFYr2qNJfB1XYRhzC5LwsfFC8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4uVUwiqxxQy4liww1m7nvv2FPhISRQM2oOiTXj5hqZU-2000-e4a60c80e3bd495cb11fe6ee14b7d242.jpeg)
What to Serve With Pasta Fagioli
Since this is a hearty pasta soup, there's really no need to pair pasta fagioli with any side dishes. However, a complementary side salad or a slice of crusty garlic bread will take this impressive dish over the top.
How to Store Pasta Fagioli
Store your (completely cooled) leftover pasta e fagioli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. We don't recommend freezing this soup, as the pasta will likely become unpleasantly mushy during the thawing process.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"Easy recipe and so very delicious," says jonna. "I doubled the recipe and there was hardly a scrap left. I substituted a can of diced tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes."
"This is the best pasta fagioli that I have ever tasted and I was raised on this stuff," raves calead910. "What I love most is that it is affordable, easy, and delicious."
"Great recipe, my family really enjoyed the soup," according to Charles Pickett. "I added Parmesan and smoked Gouda cheese to mine and it was absolutely amazing."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 medium onion, chopped
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2 stalks celery, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 teaspoons dried parsley
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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salt to taste
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1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
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2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
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1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
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½ cup ditalini or other small pasta
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1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, with liquid
Directions
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, celery, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, pepper flakes, and salt; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
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Add pasta and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
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Stir in undrained beans and cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes.
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Serve hot and enjoy!
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
225 | Calories |
4g | Fat |
37g | Carbs |
11g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
Calories 225 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 4g | 6% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 3% |
Cholesterol 2mg | 1% |
Sodium 758mg | 33% |
Total Carbohydrate 37g | 14% |
Dietary Fiber 8g | 28% |
Total Sugars 6g | |
Protein 11g | 22% |
Vitamin C 16mg | 17% |
Calcium 122mg | 9% |
Iron 5mg | 26% |
Potassium 953mg | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.