Authentic Pasta Fagioli Recipe (Bean Soup Pasta)

Authentic pasta fagioli recipe(called pasta fazool or pasta e fasule) is a warm and hearty first course.

A great classic of Italian cuisine that has its roots in the poor peasant tradition.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Ingredients
• Step Instructions + Tips
• FAQ’s
• Recipe card (Printable)

One of the best things about pasta e fagioli is that it is prepared with basic ingredients you ALWAYS have in your pantry.

Beans, pasta, oil, tomato puree and a few small vegetables to make a soffritto.

Easier than easy!

Then everyone can customize it as they like: some people put sausage in it, some omit the tomato, some prefer it in a broth and some prefer it drier.

I like it creamy, not brothy, not dry – somewhere in between!

What Are The Ingredients For Pasta Fagioli?

Beans

I use borlotti beans (also known as cranberry beans) as one of the main ingredients;

The classic recipe, on the other hand, calls for the use of dried bean.

For this recipe I used canned ones, but you can use fresh ones, which will be soaked the night before to let them rehydrate in water with a little baking soda and cooked for about two hours the next day.

Best Beans to use for Pasta Fagioli Soup:

• Borlotti beans
• Cannellini beans
• Pinto beans
• White beans.

Another great bean dish I love is this escarole and beans soup, which is a tasty hearty option for for a veggie lover.

Pasta

The second key ingredient is pasta and its cooking: I prefer short pasta; I used conghiglie (small shells).

The pasta is cooked together with the beans.

In this way the starch released by the pasta binds to the legumes that will slowly break down; resulting in the classic creamy, enveloping, incredibly tasty pasta e fagioli!

Vegetables

And the last ingredients, but not least, of this easy pasta e fagioli are the vegetables necessary to make it complete and delicious.

As far as I am concerned, simplicity wins: celery, carrot and onion, the classic Italian soffritto. 

Also very commonly used is garlic clove to add flavor, but in my family we never added it.

Spices

I prepare this recipe as my mom makes it, salt, black pepper and basil.

Other spices that go well with this pasta are fresh rosemary which gives a delicious flavor and red pepper flakes if you love a touch of spicy.

Tomato sauce

I used a little bit of tomato puree (passata) to give color and because I love flavorful tomato broth.

You can also use tomato paste, but many people make pasta e fagioli without tomato. 

Broth

Chicken broth or chicken stock, vegetable broth or vegetable stock can be used for this recipe, it’s your choice.

How to make Authentic Italian Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

Step 1

Prepare the soffritto. Carrot, celery and onion should be cut into small cubes.

If you use canned beans, wash them well under running water, but if you use dried ones, soak them the night before in cold water with a tiny bit of bicarbonate (baking soda). Then the next morning cook them for a minimum of two hours.

Step 2

In a large pot with some olive oil begin to wilt the soffritto over medium-low heat. Set aside half of the beans. 

When the soffritto is well cooked, add the beans, tomato puree and two cups of broth.

Let simmer for about 10 minutes at medium heat and then blend everything with an immersion blender to create a creamy beans soup (optional).

Step 3

Add the other half of the beans and two more cups of broth and let cook for 15 minutes minimum.

Add black pepper and some salt if needed.

Step 4

Now it is time to add the pasta, which we are going to cook directly with the beans.

Follow the cooking times given in the pasta package.

Stir frequently with a wooden spoon and add more broth if needed.

Step 5

When the pasta is cooked al dente, you can serve this classic Italian soup with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of parmesan or pecorino cheese. 

Tips for Making Pasta Fagioli:

• Never salt legumes at the beginning of cooking, but only at the end: this will keep the skin intact and tender.

• If you are not eating the sauce right away, do not add the pasta because it will swell and eventually become mushy and very soft. 

• For a dish with a creamy, enveloping texture, I blend some of the beans before adding the pasta, but if you prefer a more liquid dish with chunks you can skip this step.

• Essential, in order to achieve a creamy and flavorful pasta e fagioli, is a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese. It gives a crazy creaminess, but most of all, an incredible flavor.

• If you have parmesan rind then add it while cooking, it will make your sauce even more delicious.

Storing and Reheating

Reheating: Just add 1 – 2 tablespoons of water and a drizzle of oil to the pot, stir over low heat, and immediately the sauce will come to life.

Serve it hot, maybe even with crusty bread and bread croutons! 

Store: You can store your pasta and beans in the refrigerator in a airtight container for up to 1 day – the pasta will lose its al dente characteristic and inevitably turn out softer.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing your pasta and beans.

You can freeze the soup without pasta, and then add the pasta when you want to eat it.

FAQ’s

Authentic Pasta Fagioli Recipe

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