Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a warm, hearty Italian classic combining tender pasta, creamy cannellini beans, and a savory broth infused with fresh herbs and aromatic vegetables. This comforting soup is easy to prepare with simple pantry staples and offers a balanced meal perfect for any season, customizable to fit your taste preferences.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Can be gluten-free if using gluten-free pasta and broth
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste or 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup short pasta (ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the soffritto: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery, sautéing until tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. This forms the flavor base of your soup.
- Add garlic and tomato elements: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste or crushed tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the mixture to release a rich aroma and deepen in color.
- Combine broth and beans: Pour in the broth and add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to start blending the flavors.
- Simmer with herbs: Add fresh rosemary and parsley, reduce the heat to low, and let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld properly.
- Incorporate pasta: Add the pasta to the simmering soup and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Serve hot, optionally garnished with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, or fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use good-quality broth to enhance the soup’s flavor.
- Add pasta toward the end of cooking to avoid overcooking and mushiness.
- Rinse canned beans to reduce excess sodium and improve freshness.
- For a creamier texture, mash a portion of the beans while retaining some whole beans for chunkiness.
- Fresh herbs are essential for a bright and fresh flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Pasta e Fagioli, Italian soup, cannellini beans, comfort food, hearty soup, easy soup recipe, gluten-free option, vegetarian soup