Pasta e Fagioli is a perfectly warm, comforting, and cost-efficient recipe that has a beautiful combination of deliciously simple and filling ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, cannellini beans, celery, pasta, minced garlic, among other fragrant spices to make a perfect meatless meal on a cold Fall evening.
This recipe is simply one of the best methods for a more authentic Pasta e Fagioli and was graciously handed down several generations of the Yarusso Family, finally to be given my Friend Tricia from her lovely mother in law when she married her husband, Louie.
Pasta e Fagioli is a typical Italian dish, which was primarily considered a peasant dish, there are several regional variations of this beautiful dish of pasta and beans. There has never been an official recipe for Pasta e Fagioli. Often it is has been considered a “National Dish” of Italy present in all regions from the beautiful Alps to the tranquil Mediterranean.
The ingredients that are typically used in most Pasta e Fagioli include pasta, garlic, onion, broth, olive oil, celery, sometimes depending on the recipe, sage, thyme, parsley, marjoram, pepper, tomato, ham or bacon.
A favored pasta in many Italian-American versions of Pasta e Fagioli is the “ditali.” Still, it is also a dish suitable for using any leftovers of pasta or small-sized pasta as we did tonight by using small shells.
Below you will find the delicious famous Yarusso Family recipe that has been handed down several generations for Pasta e Fagioli with extremely simple and easy to follow directions to follow.
Pasta e Fagioli Ingredients List:
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Three tablespoons olive oil
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Two stalks celery, thinly sliced
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One large carrot finely diced, optional
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Six garlic cloves, finely sliced (razor-thin)
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Sixteen ounces vegetable stock
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Twenty Four ounces of organic San Marzano tomato sauce
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Three – (15 ounce) cans of organic cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
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1/4 cup of fresh chopped Italian Parsley
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1/8 of a teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
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Kosher salt to taste
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Ground black pepper to taste
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Six Basil Leaves Torn
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Three cups of Ditalini or Small Pasta cooked al dente
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Romano Cheese, to serve
Pasta e Fagioli is a perfectly warm, comforting, and cost-efficient recipe that has a beautiful combination of deliciously simple and filling ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Stalks Celery, thinly sliced
- 1 Large Carrot, diced
- 6 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 16 Ounces Vegetable Broth
- 24- Ounces Organic San Marzano Tomato Sauce
- 3-15- Ounce Cans Organic Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ Cup Chopped Italian Parsley
- ⅛ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Kosher Salt, to own taste
- 6 Basil Leaves, torn
- 3 Cups Cooked Ditalini or Small Pasta, cooked al dente
- Romano Cheese, to serve
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In a Dutch Oven heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat, place thinly sliced celery and the diced carrot in the Dutch Oven, sauté for about 2-3 minutes, add razor-thin sliced garlic, cook another minute careful not to burn the garlic.
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Add 16 ounces of vegetable stock or water to Dutch Oven, 24 ounces of organic San Marzano tomato sauce, drained and rinsed cannellini beans, chopped Italian parsley, torn basil, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt, and pepper to taste.
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Simmer about 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 3 cups of Ditalini pasta or small pasta shells to Dutch Oven and simmer about 4-5 minutes longer. Ladle Pasta e Fagioli in bowls and top with Romano cheese if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Tricia S. Yarusso and the Yarusso family, photo and food styling by Heidy L. McCallum
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14 Comments
Audrey@That Recipe
November 14, 2014 at 3:37 pmOne of my favorite soups ever! Pinning so I can make my own.
Heidy L. McCallum
November 17, 2014 at 10:25 pmThank you Audrey!
The Foodie Affair
November 13, 2014 at 12:53 amDelicious looking Pasta e fagioli! Looks filling and satisfying, and love that it’s a complete vegetarian meal!
Heidy L. McCallum
November 14, 2014 at 1:18 amThank you, and if one wanted they could add some meat, but it’s awesome just as is.
my5littlemonkeys
November 16, 2014 at 4:15 pmLooks delicious. I have a son with special needs who LOVES anything like this. I have just pinned it and will share! Can’t wait to try it.
Heidy L. McCallum
April 2, 2015 at 11:40 amThank you Sandra <3
Amanda @ MoveLoveEat
November 12, 2014 at 7:33 pmYummy! I don’t eat pasta very often but when I do I need to keep this recipe in the back of my mind to try 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum
November 14, 2014 at 1:18 amThanks Amanda, let me know how you like it.
Joanne/WineladyCooks
November 12, 2014 at 4:03 pmThis was our family’s comfort food in winter. I love using the little shell pasta which picks up the beans and veggies in the Pasta e Fagioli. Pinned/shared
Heidy L. McCallum
November 14, 2014 at 1:20 amThank you for sharing Joanne!
Joanne T Ferguson
November 12, 2014 at 5:08 amG’day This is my fave soup Heidy! Yours looks warm and welcoming indeed!
Cheers! Joanne Pinned
Heidy L. McCallum
November 14, 2014 at 1:19 amThanks, Joanne! Definitely one of mine!
Tricia
November 11, 2014 at 10:14 pmAnother awesome picture!!! Looks good enough to eat off the page!!
Heidy L. McCallum
November 14, 2014 at 1:19 amThank you Tricia!