Description
A comforting and hearty Italian classic featuring tender ditalini pasta, creamy cannellini beans, and a rich tomato-based broth.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried rosemary (or 1 sprig fresh)
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup ditalini pasta
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until softened and slightly translucent.
Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried rosemary. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: While the soup simmers, take one can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans and mash them with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth. Add both the mashed beans and the remaining whole can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans to the soup.
Step 5: Increase the heat to medium and bring the soup back to a gentle boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 7-9 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Step 6: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, add a splash more broth or water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 7: Ladle the hot Pasta e Fagioli into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, if desired, before serving.
Notes
For a non-vegetarian version, sauté 4 oz of diced pancetta or Italian sausage at the beginning with the olive oil before adding the vegetables. Cook until crispy, then proceed with the recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg