Description
Pasta e Fagioli Soup, inspired by the beloved Olive Garden recipe, is a warm and hearty Italian dish perfect for any occasion. Loaded with lean ground beef, nutritious beans, and a medley of fresh vegetables, this soup is not only satisfying but also easy to prepare. The rich broth is infused with aromatic herbs and spices that create a comforting flavor profile, making it ideal for family dinners or cozy nights in. In under an hour, you can enjoy this delightful meal that’s great for meal prep and reheats beautifully. Serve it with crusty bread or topped with freshly grated cheese for an authentic Italian experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp)
- 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dry ditalini pasta
- 1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, for serving
- 3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat; set the beef aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
- Combine chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, canned tomatoes, sugar, dried herbs, and the cooked beef into the pot; season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook ditalini pasta separately until al dente; add to the soup along with drained beans.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg