Authentic Pasta e Fagioli

Name: Authentic Pasta e Fagioli
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 4 ounces pancetta ((diced)*); 1 carrot ((peeled and finely diced)); 1 stalk celery ((one rib; finely diced)); 1 medium yellow onion ((finely diced)); 2 cloves garlic ((minced)); 14 ounces San Marzano tomatoes ((crushed)*); 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans ((drained and rinsed)*); 1 (15-ounce) can borlotti beans ((drained and rinsed)*); 6 cups chicken bone broth ((plus more as needed)*); 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary ((chopped)*); 1 tablespoon fresh thyme ((chopped)*); 2 cups ditalini rigati ((8 ounces)*); kosher salt ((to taste)); ¼ cup fresh parsley ((chopped, for garnish)); Parmigiano Reggiano ((grated, for garnish))

Authentic pasta e fagioli is an Italian soup known for its hearty and robust flavor. It's made with savory pancetta, hearty borlotti and cannellini beans, and al dente pasta in a rich broth. Comforting and easy to prepare, it's guaranteed to warm your heart and table all year round!

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Pasta e fagioli, which translates to "pasta and beans," is a classic Italian soup with a rich and savory broth. Originating as a modest peasant dish, it's celebrated for it's rustic flavor and simple, wholesome ingredients. Also known as "pasta fazool" to Italian Americans, it's the ultimate comfort food that is easy to make any night of the week.

Pasta e fagioli has a special place in many of our hearts, with different families and regions of Italy putting a unique spin on it. This is how my family loves to make it - thick and hearty, with tender beans, al dente pasta, and fragrant vegetables. To enhance the authenticity, I use chicken bone broth, a secret ingredient that builds incredible flavor. Whether you prefer your pasta e fagioli thick like a stew, or more brothy like a soup, my recipe includes a guide to help you achieve the perfect consistency.

I love to serve this pasta e fagioli with a fresh salad to balance the richness. It goes great with arugula and spinach salad and burrata caprese. I always have it with a slice of stirato, a crusty Italian bread that soaks up the extra sauce. For more hearty Italian soups, check out this one-pot vegetable orzo soup, Italian beef soup and minestrone soup with chicken. They are both satisfying and bursting with flavor. If you're looking for more authentic Italian dishes, you will love this tagliatelle bolognese, rigatoni al forno, and bucatini pomodoro!

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Ingredients
Substitutions and Variations
Instructions
Storage, Reheating, & Make Ahead
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Recipe
Reviews

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Cannellini and borlotti beans: a mix of canned cannellini and borlotti beans is convenient, with great flavor and a variety in texture. Cannellini beans are smooth and creamy, while borlotti beans are nutty with a firmer bite. If you can't find borlotti beans, try searching for them under alternative names like cranberry beans or Roman beans. When choosing canned products, I ensure that beans are the only ingredient to avoid additives and artificial preservatives.
Ditalini rigati: a small, tube shaped pasta traditionally used in pasta e fagioli, it captures the sauce and is easy to eat with a spoon. Ditalini comes in two versions: ditalini rigati (with small ridges), and regular ditalini (with a smooth surface). I prefer ditalini rigati because the small ridges grab the sauce, packing flavor into each bite.
Chicken bone broth: this is my secret to the most flavorful and hearty pasta e fagioli. Bone broth is simmered longer than regular broth, giving it a complex, robust flavor. It also has more collagen that thickens the soup. Adding bone broth is a trusted approach I use for building flavorful Italian dishes, like this mushroom pappardelle and chicken limone.
San Marzano tomatoes: these tomatoes are slightly sweet, complementing the rich soup. They come whole in a can, so I crush them with my hands before cooking. I prefer DOP certified tomatoes imported from Italy, a designation that attests to their quality. To verify a product's certification, look for two items on the label: the red and yellow DOP stamp and the colorful seal of Agro Sarnese-Nocerino Consorzio. If unavailable, you can use San Marzano-style tomatoes (grown with the same seeds but in a different region) or a different variety of canned tomato.
Pancetta: this adds an incredible depth of flavor. I choose my pancetta carefully because cured meats can contain unwanted artificial ingredients. I like the only ingredients to be "pork, salt, and spices." I prefer pasture-raised pork because it's flavorful and may be more nutritious than conventionally-raised pork.

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Make vegetarian: omit the pancetta and use a vegetable broth.
Substitute the bone broth: you can substitute with a regular chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. The soup may be a bit thinner since regular broth contains less collagen.
Use different beans: if unable to find borlotti beans, you can double up on the cannellini beans. You can also use navy beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans. If using dried beans instead of canned, soak them for at least 8 hours beforehand, draining and rinsing before use. Then follow the recipe, allowing for a longer simmer time, as the beans will need around 30 minutes to become tender.
Use a different pasta: the ditalini rigati can be substituted with regular, smooth ditalini. You can also use tubetti, a small, tube shaped pasta that is longer and larger. Orzo, stelline (small star-shaped pasta), or farfalline (mini butterfly shape) are delicious. I've even had this dish with broken up spaghetti!
Use bacon instead: you can substitute the pancetta with chopped bacon. Adjust the cook time accordingly, as bacon is thinner and may need less time. It's also fattier, so you may need to drain the grease before cooking the vegetables.

Instructions

The pancetta is cooked until the fat is rendered out.

Step 1: heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook for about 5 minutes until crispy and the fat has rendered, or melted out (image 1).

Carrot, celery, onion, and garlic are sautéed until softened and fragrant.

Step 2: add the carrot, celery, and onion. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes stirring often until the vegetables are softened. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant (image 2).

San Marzano tomatoes, cannellini beans, and borlotti beans are stirred in the pot.

Step 3: stir in the San Marzano tomatoes, cannellini beans, and borlotti beans (image 3).

Step 4: stir in the chicken bone broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the fresh rosemary and thyme. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally as the flavors develop (image 4).

The pasta e fagioli is cooked until the pasta is al dente.

Step 5: add the ditalini rigati to the pot of soup. Continue to simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until al dente (image 5). Stir often to prevent the pasta from sticking.

Two bowls of pasta e fagioli garnished with parsley and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Step 6: season with kosher salt to taste as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and Parmigiano Reggiano (image 6). Serve immediately and enjoy!

Storage, Reheating, & Make Ahead

Storage: leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The pasta will soften upon reheating, but I don't mind this in a leftover soup.
Reheating: leftover pasta e fagioli will naturally thicken. Stir in a bit of water or bone broth to loosen it to your desired consistency. Reheat the leftovers until they reach 165°F (74°C) throughout.
- Stovetop: warm in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: transfer to a microwave safe bowl, cover lightly, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
Make ahead: you can make pasta e fagioli a day in advance, following the recipe as directed, but do not cook the pasta. Let the soup cool and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, heat the soup in a large pot over medium heat. Once simmering, add the pasta and cook as directed in the recipe.

For more helpful tips on how to handle leftovers safely, check out this USDA Leftovers and Food Safety guide.

Expert Tips

Cook the pasta directly in the soup. As the pasta cooks, it releases starches that thicken the broth, giving the soup it's traditional, hearty texture. The pasta also absorbs the seasoned broth, making every bite more flavorful.
Use bone broth for a richer, thicker base. Since bone broth is higher in collagen, it naturally creates a thicker soup. While some recipes suggest blending a portion of the beans to thicken the texture, using bone broth can eliminate this step, effortlessly yielding a rich and robust broth.
Keep extra broth on hand. As the pasta cooks, it continues to absorb liquid and thicken the soup. Gradually stir in more bone broth as needed to maintain your preferred consistency.
Season at the end. Salt levels concentrate as the soup simmers and the pasta absorbs liquid. Always taste and adjust seasoning after the pasta has finished cooking to avoid oversalting.

FAQ

How can I make my pasta e fagioli thicker?

This recipe yields a thick and hearty pasta e fagioli soup. If you prefer very little broth, you can start off using 5 cups of bone broth instead of 6. Watch carefully as you cook the pasta, adding more broth as needed to prevent sticking. Keep in mind that the pasta will continue to soak up the soup as it sits and cools. For even more thickness, you could use a blender to purée half the beans before cooking them. However, I find that the extra collagen in the bone broth produces a beautifully thick soup without the added step of blending.

How do I make my pasta e fagioli thinner?

If you prefer a brothier pasta e fagioli, gradually add more bone broth as the pasta cooks and after it rests. The pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so thinning in small amounts helps you reach the perfect consistency without making it watery.

Looking for more hearty Italian soup recipes? Try these favorites: