Description
A steaming bowl of Italian Pasta Fagioli is the ultimate comfort food—hearty, flavorful, and packed with protein and vegetables. This classic Italian soup combines tender ditalini pasta, rich tomato broth, savory ground beef, and a medley of beans to create a dish that’s satisfying enough to be a full meal. Perfect for those seeking easy dinner ideas, quick lunch preps, or cozy food ideas, this easy recipe is also ideal for meal planning. Whether you’re hunting for dinner ideas or need a healthy snack that can double as a meal, this quick and flavorful option belongs in your rotation of go-to dishes.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup ditalini pasta
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.
4. Pour in beef broth. Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 25–30 minutes.
5. In a separate pot, cook ditalini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. Add cooked pasta to the soup just before serving and stir gently.
7. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
For meal prep, store pasta separately to prevent it from soaking up all the broth.
Want it vegetarian? Skip the meat and use veggie broth instead.
The soup thickens as it sits—add extra broth or water when reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 30mg