This standout, one-pot pasta and white bean soup is different than most recipes. It’s made with fresh cherry tomatoes (instead of canned) which lightens the thick and hearty broth. Serves 4-6.
Pasta e fagioli or “pasta and beans” in Italian is one of my favorite, humble, peasant-style recipes from the cucina povera.
There are two distinct type of pasta e fagioli: red and white.
I’ve tested a both versions and the white-ish pasta e fagioli is the winner for me! It’s lighter and more delicate, yet comforting at the same time.
My recipe leans on fresh cherry tomatoes (instead of canned), buttery home-cooked white beans, Italian-style vegetable stock, and ditalini pasta which cooks directly in the pot – its natural starches thicken the broth.
You’ll get about 2 quarts, enough for 4-6 people, and is ready in under 1 hour. Serve with this crusty sourdough bread recipe on the side.
How To Make It {Step-By-Step Recipe}
Step 1: Sauté The Vegetables
To start, sauté the onions and celery in olive oil until soft. Then add the garlic.
Next, add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they collapse and release their juice into the pot.
Step 2: Add The Beans
Add the cooked white beans (or canned beans + 1 bay leaf), with 1 cup of vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle boil.
Step 3: Add The Pasta
Add the ditalini pasta, with 2 cups of stock. Reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring often (so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot because it will) until just shy of aldente. Add more stock as needed.
When finished, the pasta should have a bite to it; it will continue to cook as the soup stands off the heat.
To Serve
Season well with salt and pepper, and stir in the fresh parsley. Portion into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
PS: Pasta e fagioi is not vegetable soup. That’s minestrone soup, which is delicious but different!
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One-Pot Pasta E Fagioli: Pasta & White Bean Soup
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 quarts 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This standout, Italian pasta e fagioli recipe is different than most. It’s made with fresh cherry tomatoes (instead of canned) to lighten the thick and hearty broth. Dried ditalini or fresh homemade pasta (scraps) cook directly in the pot; its natural starches thicken the soup. This soup thickens more on standing, so I recommend serving it right away. Or, have extra stock on hand to loosen up the texture when re-heating future meals. Recipe adapted from one of my favorite books: Cucina Povera by, Giulia Scarpaleggia.
Note: this recipe is made better using my simple homemade vegetable stock and my buttery, home-cooked beans from scratch. The layers of flavor are absolutely incredible!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small celery stalked, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 360 g (12 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 500 g (2 cups) cooked white beans or 1x (15 oz) can of Great Northern or Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups homemade veggie stock, divided, plus more as needed
- Fresh bay leaf
- 75 g ditalini pasta
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese & sourdough bread, to serve
Instructions
- In a large pot (Dutch oven or 5-quart braiser pot), warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and celery; sauté until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the smashed garlic cloves. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes collapse, soften and their release their juices.
- Add the cooked white beans (or canned beans & 1 fresh bay leaf) with 1 cup of vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the pasta with 2 cups of stock. Reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring often (so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot because it will), until just shy of aldente, about 11 minutes. Add more stock as needed. When finished, the pasta should have a bite to it; it will continue to cook as the soup stands off the heat.
- Stir in the fresh parsley.
- Taste, and season with salt and pepper. If you want the soup more brothy, now is the time to add more stock. The soup will thicken more upon standing.
- Serve in wide shallow bowls with Parmesan cheese, sourdough bread, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Comments
Danielle says
I would make my grandpas chili of course! Complete is chives, cheese and sour cream :)
Deb E says
I love cooking vegetable black bean soup on the stove all day. It smells wonderful as I add all kinds of yummy spices. I have one pot I use for most everything so would love a whole set.
Lydia Ruddy says
Anything and everything! Maybe just a quick pasta to start!
Deborah Benaim says
I would make my grandmothers Shakshuka and then make my own Labneh to eat alongside. L’chaim!
Sandy Rinks says
I would make the Spring Tortellini Minestrone. Again. It was wonderful!
greentopiaries says
I would love to make Garlic Lemon Chicken, Asparagus with Parm and lemon pilaf with a new set. Thanks for the chance! :)
Jessica says
I have been wanting to try to make chicken tikka masala. So that would be the first thing I would cook. :)
Shari Gava says
I would make a nice hot pot of polenta with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese .
Min Kim says
I love pasta fagioli, Emilie! But if I were the lucky winner of this set, I would make a gloriously giant pot of meatballs and tomato sauce and another pot of creamy polenta because the two together are the ultimate comfort food. The leftover polenta, I’d fry in one of the skillets for dinner the next day!
Debbie says
Wow! What fun these would be to cook in. I’d love to make my golden cheddar soup in that.
Roxana says
I would make delicious soups, stews and other comfort foods.
Caroline says
Beautiful pots! I’d make Tuscan chicken stew.
Laura L. says
Oh good gosh, what wouldn’t I make? Lol. Almost all of my pots and pans are hand me downs. I’m loving your cookbook-trying a new recipe every week and have liked them all.
Libby Kleyn says
Caramels! Soup! Applesauce! Everything! And probably…Mac n Cheese for the kiddos every now and then.
Jenny Trowbridge says
Mmm! I would make lots of stir frys and soups. :)
Vicki Vicars says
Oh all the wonderful things we could cook and share with family and friends in this cookware! I think I’d start with chicken noodle soup or maybe my husband’s chili.
manda says
I would make lentils.
Meg Negrey says
I’d make this miso carbonara recipe I’ve been dying to try!
Catherine says
I would love this cookware set! I would truthfully give it to my mom. She hasn’t wanted a new 10 piece set for awhile, but hasn’t been able to get one. My parents just moved, so this would be the perfect housewarming gift! We would make stir fry and our favorite family pasta with fresh summer tomatoes first!
Alex says
I’d make some pate a choux! Pasta! Braised veggies of all kinds!
c. bryan says
Thanks for the contest. I would love to win this!!!
Briana says
Oh man, I would make a hearty batch of Guiness beef stew! Winter just made a comeback so it would certainly hit the spot on this chilly week.
Christy S. says
Pasta, stews, chicken, tagines. Everything!
Bethany says
I would make my favorite lemon risotto, as well as delicious sauces and everything else!
Shirl says
I would make eggs, stir fries and more!
Jackie says
I would make a hearty soup to counteract this wintery weather we’ve been having!
SimonaC says
With this set I’d finally be able to make my mom’s tomato sauce recipe. She used to live in the country in Italy and would use a huge pot, cook the sauce for hours and then can and freeze it all to be used in the next months… I miss that flavor so much!
Barbara says
I’d make a huge batch of spaghetti sauce.
Pooja says
I would make matar paneer and tons of soup! Thank you for the lovely recipes and the opportunity!
Bethany G says
Everything! I would start by making broccoli and cheddar soup with crusty bread on the side.
sherry klusman says
I’m almost 65 years old and have always gathered odds and ends to cook it — never felt I could splurge on cookware. What a great giveaway. I love to cook. I’m not much of a baker but I’m pretty mean behind the flame. Thanks for the opportunity to win these great items.
Hattie says
The first thing I’d make would be a creamy clam chowder!
Sandy says
The first thing I’d make for my family is Italian Wedding Soup. I’d use that high quality sauce pan because it is a much healthy way to cook.
Holly says
I’d make cacio e pepe :)
Starla B says
That looks absolutely delicious- although I have never tried that before! If I were to win I would definitely make my Nana who is about to turn 81 a delicious dinner. She has been very sick these past few months and is now regaining strength and wellness which is such a blessing. I would make homemade chicken and rice with a side of fresh croissants and charred asparagus with some Parmesan of course!
jacquie says
applesauce – hummm I love homemade chunky applesauce
Terrie says
Chicken and dumplings, lemon chicken, chili, skillet lasagna, minestrone soup… I could go on all day. Thank you for the opportunity!
Cindy A. says
I would make everything from braised short ribs to fried eggs and bacon. Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful giveaway!
Carol says
Everything from toasting nuts, sautéing veggies, roasting meats, simmering soups and cooking holiday dinners. It would be put to good use!
Joy says
I would make soups & chicken piccata.
Kelly D says
I would make shrimp scampi. Thank you!
Jane Macomber says
I would love to use these high quality pans making chili, sauces, and so many other recipes and being able to go into the oven would be wonderful. Love your cookbook and I gave one as a gift.
Lisa M says
Duck & andouille gumbo, artichoke risotto, pork chili verde…. the list is endless. :-)
Lindsay says
I would definitely make a chili. I love making a big pot of chili on the weekend.
Carla E. says
Hello and wonderful news.
As a relatively new blogger, I could imagine so many wonderful dishes that could be prepared in those beauties.
I enjoy making stews and casseroles of the vegetarian variety. I love colorful dishes and easy clean up for cookware. I would love to feature these cookware pieces in my blog.
Here’s to hoping..
Kathie Kerler says
Love the idea of cookware that can go into the oven. Must say I would make today’s Pasta e Fagioli recipe. Looks delicious.
Kim H. says
Ooh, amazing! I would love to do some andouille and bean soup!!
RMJ says
Curry. Lots of curry
Nicole says
Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe! You’re spot on about the mismatched hand-me-down pot collection we have going on :) I’d most definitely christen a new cookware set with my absolute f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e crispy pork ramen. It’s my go-to indulgence when we need a hearty, flavorful meal!
Celia says
Oooh they do look lovely. As does your soup! xx