Description
Indulge in the warm, hearty flavors of Better Than Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli, a comforting Italian bean soup you can easily make at home. This delightful dish combines tender beans, perfectly cooked pasta, and fresh vegetables to create a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and customizable. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy dinner or hosting friends, this recipe is sure to impress with its rich flavor and inviting aroma. Plus, it’s simple to prepare with straightforward steps and common ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup ditalini pasta
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened (5-7 minutes).
- Add garlic and herbs; cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in ground meat; cook until browned and drain excess fat.
- Mix in tomato paste; cook for one minute.
- Pour in chicken broth; bring to a boil.
- Add kidney beans and cannellini beans; reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook ditalini pasta according to package instructions; add to the soup.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: For vegetarian options, omit meat and use vegetable broth. Experiment with different beans such as black beans or chickpeas for variety. Blend a portion of the soup for creaminess while keeping some chunky.