Pasta Fagioli is classic soup, but hearty enough to be considered a pasta dish as well. This recipe is full of flavor, satisfying and loaded with pasta, beans and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 14oz (400g) can of chopped tomatoes or pureed tomatoes
- 1 quart (400ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 can cannellini beans
- 1 (3-inch) piece Parmesan rind (optional, but if you can get a hold of it, it adds a lot of flavor).
- 11/4 cup (125g) small pasta (small shells or ditalini)
- A couple of good handfuls of flat leaf parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large stock pot, then cook the onion, carrot and celery until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute.
- Pour in the stock, 1 can of beans beans (adding the liquid from the beans will add extra thickness to the soup) Parmesan rind (if using) and chopped tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
- Puree or mash the 2nd can of beans with a little of the liquid from the can and then add it to the pot. Bring to a boil and then cover and lower the heat to the lowest setting. Let simmer for 1- 2 hours (stirring occasionally).
- Remove from heat, remove the rind with a slotted spoon and discard.
- Add the pasta, chopped parsley and seasonings. Cook until the pasta is cooked al dente (adding water if the soup becomes too thick).
- Serve in bowls topped grated Italian cheese and a sprinkling of chopped parsley.
Variation: A cup of chopped pancetta or bacon can be added by browning it in the pot before adding the onion to add extra flavor.
For the full post, visit Erren's Kitchen.
