This Pasta e Fagioli Soup is hearty, comforting, and full of rich Italian flavor. Made with tender pasta, creamy beans, vegetables, and a savory broth for the perfect cozy meal in a bowl!

Pasta e Fagioli is the kind of soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It is hearty, wholesome, and full of comforting Italian flavor. With tender pasta, two types of beans, and a rich tomato-based broth, it’s a filling meal that’s perfect for chilly nights or anytime you need a little cozy in your life.

 

This soup is really easy to make with pantry staples. It is budget-friendly, relying on plenty of canned goods, so it can be made almost any night of the week. And it is even better the next day.

Pasta Fagioli translate to “pasta and beans” so that is really what this soup consists of. Lots of versions include ground beef or even Italian sausage, but you can absolutely leave it out.

Lots of people know the Olive Garden version, and let’s just say if you like that, you have to try this homemade version, because it is so much better! I love a good Olive Garden Minestrone or Chicken Gnocchi Soup, but making them at home is just a game changer.

What You’ll Need

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• Olive Oil
• Ground Beef – you could also use ground turkey or even Italian sausage for this
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic
• Dark Kidney Beans
• Northern Beans – you can also use cannellini beans
• Tomato Sauce
• Diced Tomatoes
• Chicken Broth
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt & Pepper
• Ditalini Pasta

How To Make Pasta Fagioli Soup

• Brown Meat. Add the ground beef to a large stock pot over medium high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking up until it is no longer pink. Remove from the pan.
• Sauté Vegetables. Add olive oil to the pan and stir in the onions, carrots and celery. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the onions are translucent and the veggies are starting to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until you can start to smell it.
• Simmer. Pour in the beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and cook for about 20 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking.
• Pasta. If you don’t anticipate finishing the soup the day it is made, I like to cook the pasta separately according to the package directions and then add some to each both when serving. Alternatively you can add it to the soup during the last 10 minutes of cooking and cook until it is tender.
• Serve. Remove from the heat and serve topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

• More Veggies. You really can add anything you want to this soup. One way to up your greens is to stir in a couple handfuls of spinach during the last couple of minutes and let it wilt.
• Vegetarian. You can leave out the meat and use vegetable broth to make these a vegetarian soup.
• Beans. I like to drain and rinse canned beans. The recipe calls for dark kidney beans and northern beans, but you really can use what you have. Light kidney beans and cannellini beans will both be delicious as well.
• Spicy. If you like it spicy red pepper flakes are a great addition! I like to sprinkle them on each both at the table, but you could also add it to the entire pot of soup.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve this soup topped with grated Parmesan cheese and sometimes a little fresh parsley or basil to brighten the flavors.

It is great served with Olive Garden Breadsticks, a Side Salad or Cheesy Garlic Bread is always a good idea.

Storage

You can store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I do recommend that you store the pasta and soup separately. It still works if they are combined, just know that the pasta will soak up quite a bit of liquid and be more of a loose casserole.

Freezing

This soup freezes really well, again I prefer to do it without the pasta. You can add the pasta when it is thawed and reheating on the stovetop, it can cook in the broth as the soup heats. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

More Comforting Soup Recipes

• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Cabbage Roll Soup
• Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
• Beef Macaroni Soup
• Zuppa Toscana