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A hearty bowl of homemade pasta fagioli soup garnished with fresh parsley and served with crusty bread.

Pasta Fagioli Soup: A Hearty Italian Classic That Warms the Soul

A hearty Italian classic of pasta, beans, vegetables, and herbs, perfect for a comforting and flavorful meal in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound hot Italian sausage casings removed (or lean ground beef/turkey)
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
  • 1 15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Parmesan rind optional
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3/4 cup uncooked ditalini pasta or small pasta
  • 1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley and/or basil for garnish optional

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add sausage and onion, cook for 4 minutes until browned.
  2. Add carrots and celery; sauté 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and crushed red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute.
  3. Drain excess grease. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, water, Parmesan rind, basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  4. Add chicken broth, cannellini beans, kidney beans, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring frequently until pasta is al dente.
  5. Remove Parmesan rind and bay leaf. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage. Parmesan rind adds a rich umami depth.