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5 from 1 vote

Marisa's Pasta Fagioli (Pasta Fazool)

Pasta Fagioli or Pasta with Beans is an Italian comfort food. The proper name is Pasta e Fagioli, and it is categorized as a soup instead of a pasta. It is often served as an alternative to meat. Southern Italians call it Pasta Fazool. This is a white, creamy version with white northern beans, a small diced potato and a small amount of Ditalini pasta added to the chicken broth. Serve lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese and extra cooked Ditalini ion the side.
Course Soup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6 Servings
Author Homemade Italian Cooking with Cara

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrots diced
  • ½ cup onions diced
  • ½ cup celery diced
  • ½ cup white potato peeled and diced
  • ½ cup tomato chopped
  • 6 - 7 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 2 cans of drained white northern beans or navy beans or mix
  • 1 head escarole trimmed cleaned and chopped or small bag of spinach
  • ½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta
  • 1 cup uncooked ditalini cooked to use on the side, optional
  • rosemary ½ tsp.
  • red pepper flakes ½ tsp.
  • parmesan cheese grated
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cover bottom of dutch oven or large pot with olive oil. Saute garlic in olive oil over medium high heat for 1 minute.
  • Add the onions, celery and carrots, stir a minute or two, then add the potatoes. Stir the potatoes to incorporate with the vegetables. Stir in the salt, pepper, rosemary and red pepper.
  • When the vegetables are glistening after a few minutes, pour in the broth. When the broth starts to simmer, add the tomato and beans. Simmer 20 minutes.
  • Scoop out 1 and 1/2 cup of the soft vegetables and blend in a blender or chopper, then re-add to the pot and stir. Simmer 10 minutes, stir a few times.
  • Next, turn up heat to bring to a light boil and add the ½ cup uncooked pasta. Stir the pasta a few times so it does not stick to the bottom.
  • After the pasta is cooked - about 10 minutes, add the escarole. Let this slow simmer for 30 minutes or longer. The broth should not be too watery. Add ¼ cup grated parmesan in pot and stir.
  • Serve with grated parmesan cheese on top of each bowl.
  • If desired add more pasta. Tastes even better the next day.