Best Recipe for Pasta Fagioli Soup

Does Pasta e Fagioli Contain Meat?

Most recipes do, but you can omit it if you prefer a vegetarian option to the dish.

I don’t use a lot of meat in my recipe for pasta fagioli, but there is a little because it adds a flavorful layer to the dish.

So in my recipe, it’s not a central ingredient but makes the soup taste heartier.

And oh, this pasta fagioli soup recipe is so good. I can’t wait for you to try it.

The Best Recipe for Pasta Fagioli Soup

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love to make Italian food and have shared several recipes that were passed down from my grandma before she passed.

Like her simple bruschetta tomatoes and baked shrimp scampi recipes.

I’ve been making this dish for several years now. It’s a combination of what my grandmother used to make with some tips from America’s Test Kitchen.

Have you ever tried their recipes before?

They test different variations of dishes in the kitchen and then share their incredible recipes. I picked up a few tips from them while making this dish and it definitely adds some flavor.

So what’s the big secret?

Anchovies and a rind of parmesan cheese.

They saute some anchovies in the dish and drop a rind of parmesan cheese in the soup while it’s cooking and the flavor is unbelievable.

Because I loved these additions so much, I incorporated them into my own recipe for pasta fagioli and the taste is crazy good.

In full disclosure, I make my recipe without measuring anything. So feel free to tweak the ingredients as you see fit.

When I spice it up, I eyeball it the ingredients too, so these amounts are best guesses at what I typically use when making my pasta fagioli recipe.

Ingredients to Make Pasta e Fagioli

The list of ingredients sounds like a big list to make this recipe for pasta fagioli but as you make it, it’s pretty easy to do and will become second nature as you make it.

Here’s what you need to make this pasta fagioli recipe.

• onion
• celery
• extra virgin olive oil
• bacon
• garlic
• cannellini breans
• chicken or vegetable stock
• diced tomatoes
• parmesan cheese rind
• parmesan cheese
• red pepper flakes
• oregano
• fresh parsley
• ditalini or small pasta

I prefer to make this dish using parmesan cheese that I shave or shredded myself because it is fresher. But feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Since I use fresh parmesan cheese a lot, I freeze the rind in some Glad Press ‘n Seal because adding that rind to soups adds a cheesy flavor that you can’t beat!

And while you can use basil in this dish, I prefer using parsley on its own instead.

As an aside, let me just tell you how important it is to use fresh versus dried herbs for this recipe.

I add fresh parsley to my recipe for pasta fagioli after I remove it from the heat. The greens from the parsley immediately brighten the dish. And it’s delicious.

If you prefer to use fresh basil, go for it! It is equally as good.

That said, if you don’t have fresh herbs you can easily make it with dried too, but its not the same.

Whenever I make this dish, I use my dutch oven. If you don’t have one, you can make pasta fagioli soup in a stock pot.

Use what you have and enjoy this dish!

Directions to Make the Best Recipe for Pasta Fagioli Soup

While there seems to be a lot of ingredients to make pasta e fagioli, it’s really easy to do and takes very little time.

If you want to prepare this ahead of time, I would make it all and leave out the pasta until you are ready to eat.

Adding the pasta and then letting it sit will make it mushier as the pasta soaks up the chicken stock and swells.

But I’ve made this early in the day and let it sit on the stove allowing the flavors to meld as I do stuff and then reheat and add the pasta later.

Oh, I can’t wait for you to make this dish!

Here’s how to make this recipe for pasta fagioli.

• In a dutch oven or stock pot, heat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
• When the oil heats, add the bacon and cook through for about 5 minutes.
• Next, add the onions and celery. Cook about 5-7 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
• Add the anchovies, mix well and cook another minute.
• Then add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cook until the garlic releases its odor (about 30 seconds to one minute).
• Immediately add the diced tomatoes and scrape the sides to get the bacon bits off.
• Next, add the beans and cheese rind, mix well, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Then add the chicken or vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
• Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
• Remove from heat and take out the rind. Add fresh parmesan to brighten the soup.
• Drizzle each bowl with extra virgin olive oil and fresh parmesan shavings. Then garnish with fresh parsley.
• Serve and enjoy!

Looking for More Great Soup Recipes?

I love a good cozy soup recipe that is easy to make and feels like a hug in a bowl.

Wait until you try these soup recipes!

• Corn Chowder Easy Recipe
• Recipe for Chicken Soup Homemade
• Creamy Balsamic Tomato Soup Recipe
• Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Easy Spinach Tortellini Soup
• Tortellini Soup with Sausage and Spinach
• Best Recipe for Seafood Stew

More Italian Recipe Ideas

I’m a huge fan of Italian food and make dishes all the time for my family.

It’s part of my heritage and the food is delicious!

Here are some easy recipes to try.

• Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
• Grandma’s Recipe for Bruschetta Tomatoes
• How to Make Sunday Sauce with Meatballs Like a Pro
• How to Make Meatballs in the Oven
• Caprese Salad
• Grilled Sausage and Peppers
• Italian Seafood Stew
• Proscuitto and Brie Appetizer Bites
• Caramelized Pear Flatbread Recipe

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