Pasta e Fagioli is a delectable Italian soup that combines Italian sausage, vegetables and beans in a rich tomato base with a perfect blend of Italian herbs and spices. I like to serve it with a little bit of fresh grated Parmesan along with Triple Cheese Garlic Bread or Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Beer Bread.
There is nothing better than a big hot pot of simmering soup. My family cooks and enjoys soup throughout the year! Not just during the winter months and we just love all the tasty flavors and heartiness in this Pasta e Fagioli soup recipe. You may have tried Pasta e Fagioli soup at Olive Garden. Well this recipe is so much better and you can make it in the confines of your own kitchen controlling everything that is added. It is easy, dependable, so delectable and it freezes really well.
How do you make Pasta e Fagioli?
Start by browning the sausage in a dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. When the sausage is about halfway browned add the onions, carrots and celery. Continue cooking until the sausage is completely browned. Now reduce the heat and add the garlic, oregano, marjoram, basil, thyme leaves, and onion powder cooking for about 1 minute while stirring constantly.
Then add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes and beans. Next simmer for about 10 minutes while stirring several times. Now remove about 2/3 cup of hot liquid and whisk it together in a separate bowl with the tomato pasta. Add it it back to pot and simmer for about 5 more minutes. Finally add the pasta and simmer until tender.
Helpful tips for making Pasta e Fagioli
- Use either mild or hot Italian sausage. The choice is completely up to you and your taste buds.
- For aesthetic purposes peel your carrots as they are such a beautiful bright orange color when peeled.
- Drain and rinse your beans to remove any excess salt and starch. This helps improve flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta and prepare to eat promptly. The pasta will continue to cook some even after the heat has been turned off.
- If you know you will be saving some soup for another day remove that amount before you add the pasta. When you reheat the soup you can simmer it again and add a little bit of pasta.
- Serve with 1-2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan Cheese on top.
What to serve with Pasta e Fagioli
- warm bread sticks
- hot fresh rolls
- beer bread
- fresh fruit cup
- a simple spinach salad
- French baguette
- garden wedge salad
- fried mozzarella
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PrintPasta e Fagioli
This Olive Garden copycat classic is bursting with flavor and hearty goodness from Italian sausage, beans, pasta, Italian herbs and spices. Make this delicious and easy homemade version to enjoy on a cold winter night.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: soup
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian Sausage
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can red kidney beans
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can great northern beans
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup Ditalini pasta
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Italian sausage over medium heat in a dutch oven or heavy stockpot. About halfway through the browning process add onions, carrots and celery. Once fully browned reduce heat to low. Add garlic, oregano, marjoram, basil, thyme leaves and onion powder. Cook for 1 minute; stirring constantly.
- Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, kidney beans and great northern beans. Simmer for 10 minutes; stirring several times.
- Remove 2/3 cup of hot broth and whisk with tomato paste. Add it back to the soup and simmer for 5 minutes; stirring several times.
- Add pasta and cook until tender; approximately 10 minutes. If desired serve with 1-2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan Cheese per bowl.
Notes
- Use either mild or hot Italian sausage. The choice is completely up to you and your taste buds.
- For aesthetic purposes peel your carrots as they are such a beautiful bright orange color when peeled.
- Drain and rinse your beans to remove any excess salt and starch. This helps improve flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta and prepare to eat promptly. The pasta will continue to cook some even after the heat has been turned off.
- If you know you will be saving some soup for another day remove that amount before you add the pasta. When you reheat the soup you can simmer it again and add a little bit of pasta.
- Serve with 1-2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan Cheese on top.
Keywords: Italian soup, Olive garden pasta e fagioli, pasta e fagioli, soup with pasta and beans, soup with sausage and beans
Jas @ All that's Jas
Once a despised meal (as a child), it is now one of my favorites ever! Love all the herbs you added to intensify the flavors. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! Yes we love it too! So delicious!
Taylor Kiser
Love that I can make this delicious soup anytime I want to at home! And the leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day!
★★★★★
Erika
This is one of my all-time favorites. It’s so comforting.
★★★★★
Traci
I’m always up for this pasta e fagioli! So easy, quick, and loved by everyone…thanks for another winner! 🙂
★★★★★
Haley D Williams
This looks so good! I want to warm up to a bowl of it today for lunch! I love your photos!
★★★★★
Chef Mimi
I haven’t made this for years, and I’d kinda forgotten about it! Why, I can’t imagine… But thanks for reminding me! It looks fabulous!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Mimi! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Dannii
I always make a big batch of this when I need a pick me up. Total comfort food.
★★★★★
Kechi
First of all, I love your blog and all your recipes. But this recipe is loaded, and I just want to dig in. Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Emily Liao
This was perfect for a chilly day! Loved all the flavors and spices in this. Definitely adding to my weekly rotation 🙂
★★★★★
Tara
So many incredible flavors packed into this soup, especially the Italian sausage! Such a comforting meal and I love how easily it comes together.
★★★★★
Shelly
This soup is absolutely delicious and so easy-peasy!
I’m looking forward to leftovers tomorrow! Your recipes are my kind of cooking😋
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Shelly! So glad that you liked it! Have a fabulous week!