Description
This Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipe is a hearty Italian-inspired soup featuring ground beef, a medley of beans, diced vegetables, and ditalini pasta simmered in a rich tomato and chicken broth base. Perfect for a comforting meal, this homemade version captures the classic flavors with simple ingredients and seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 29 ounce can tomato sauce
- 15.5 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, drained
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
Pasta and Seasoning
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook it until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. This helps build the soup’s savory base.
- Add vegetables: Stir in diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook together until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine liquids and beans: Pour in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and add the drained red kidney and cannellini beans to the pot.
- Season the soup: Add Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to incorporate all the flavors evenly.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for about 25 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld thoroughly.
- Add pasta: Pour in the ditalini pasta and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final season and serve: Remove the bay leaf, taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, optionally with grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or sausage for the beef for variation.
- Use low-sodium chicken stock to control salt content.
- Ditalini pasta is traditional but you can use other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells.
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and use vegetable stock instead.
- This soup freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Olive Garden, Pasta e Fagioli, Italian soup, ground beef soup, bean soup, tomato soup, comfort food