Description
Healthy Creamy Pasta e Fagioli with Spinach and Kale is a hearty, nutrient-packed soup featuring pasta, cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and leafy greens in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner, this recipe is easy to make on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 cup uncooked mini shell, ditalini, or elbow pasta
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, including liquid
2 teaspoons fresh thyme or rosemary, chopped
½ teaspoon crushed red chili pepper
5 cups vegetable broth, chicken broth, or water
Kosher salt
1 Parmesan cheese rind optional (Cabot or Tillamook alternatives)
1 bunch Tuscan or curly kale, stemmed and chopped
¼ cup heavy cream optional
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Cabot or Tillamook alternatives)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions until softened.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, beans, thyme, red chili, and broth. Add 1½ teaspoons kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 15 minutes until pasta is al dente.
4. Stir in kale and heavy cream if using. Serve in bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese alternatives.
5. For pressure cooker: Press “sauté” and heat olive oil. Cook onions until soft, then add garlic.
6. Add tomatoes, pasta, beans, herbs, chili, broth, cheese rind, and salt. Stir well.
7. Close lid, cook on high for 7 minutes, then quick release.
8. Fold in kale and cream if using. Serve hot with grated cheese alternatives.
Notes
Blend a portion of the soup for extra creaminess without using dairy.
Refrigerate leftovers for 3–5 days and add broth when reheating.
Freeze fully cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Add fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon before serving to enhance flavor.
Use small pasta shapes like mini shells or ditalini for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7-15 mins
- Category: Soup and Stew
- Method: Stovetop or Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Vegetarian