Pasta e fagioli is really the soup of my dreams. It’s hearty, thick and so flavorful without being heavy. Having my Nana Lulu’s version with a sandwich growing up was one of my favorite lunches in the world. Because she didn’t write anything down and cooked everything by feel, I came up with this version based on what I remember.
The absolute best part was that this whole soup came together in one pot. I love having less dishes to do! Oh my goodness, it was so flavorful and satisfying. It made a fantastic light dinner with crusty bread and then even better lunch the next day! I think my Nana would have been proud of this version. Hope you all enjoy this Italian classic! xoxo
This pasta e fagioli is pure amazing Italian comfort! It comes together easily and has so much flavor to warm the soul on cold nights.
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 dash olive oil plus additional for finishing
- 1/4 pound pancetta diced small
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 whole carrots peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 whole onion diced small
- 1 can cannellini beans 15 ounce size
- 1 can garbanzo beans 15 ounce size
- 1 quart chicken stock
- 1 large pinch salt
- 1 large pinch freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups small pasta shells uncooked
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- First, prepare the herb bundle. Tie the bay leaves, thyme and rosemary together into a tight package with kitchen twine, called a bouquet garni. Set it aside. Get out a sturdy dutch oven and heat the olive oil in it over medium high heat. Cook the diced pancetta in it until it just starts to render out its fat and crisp up. Add the garlic, carrots and onion and let them soften with the pancetta for a couple of minutes. Then pour in the beans with their liquid and the chicken stock. Season the mixture with generous pinches of the salt and pepper and add the bouquet garni.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Let it simmer for 30 minutes so that the flavors can meld, stirring occasionally. When the 30 minutes are up, remove the bouquet garni and get out a blender. Scoop a cup of the soup into the blender and blend it until it is smooth and thick. Pour it back into the pot of soup and bring it back up to a gentle boil. Add the small shells in and let them cook in the soup until tender for about 8-10 minutes. Take it off of the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese and an extra drizzle of olive oil to finish it. Serve immediately with crusty bread!
Big fan of hearty, thick and tons of flavor. Will be making this for the family soon.
I am too! I hope you and your family love this recipe :-).
This looks so easy and tasty! I’ll definitely be trying it soon now that the weather has gotten chilly.
Thank you so much! It really is perfect soup for cold nights :-).
Headed to the store to pick up these ingredients. It’s rainy and cold today, so this will hit the spot!
Oh yes, this is the perfect rainy day meal Marta!! It’s yucky and snowy out here today.
I have memories of my mom making this for lunch when I was younger, your recipe is spot on
Aw, yay!! So glad this reminded you of your mom’s.
Okay I have to make this! My grandpa loves soup and since he lives with us I am always looking for soup recipes for dinner for him! So excited to try this- it looks yummy!
I love that, I hope your whole family enjoys it!! Especially your grandpa :-).
This was one of my Nana’s favorite soups. I can still hear her teaching me how to pronounce it.
Same! My Nana Lulu loved this soup.