Description
Before diving into cooking, having all ingredients ready is crucial. This soup blends fresh vegetables, hearty beans, flavorful seasonings, and tender pasta to achieve a balanced taste.
Warm and hearty Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Soup, packed with tender beans, ground beef, vegetables, and ditalini pasta in a rich tomato broth. Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, or family meals.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup water, more as desired
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
2 tsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dry ditalini pasta
1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Grated cheese (Cabot, Tillamook, or Sargento)
3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, crumble in ground beef, and cook until no longer pink. Drain fat and set beef aside.
2. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil in the same pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery, sauté until tender about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
3. Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, and cooked beef. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 15-20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook ditalini pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain and set aside.
5. Add cooked pasta, kidney beans, and great northern beans to the soup. Adjust consistency with additional broth or water if needed. Cook 1 more minute.
6. Stir in fresh parsley and serve warm with grated cheese. For best texture, add pasta to individual servings if storing leftovers.
Preparation Tips:
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- Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking.
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- Drain and rinse beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve texture.
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- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor.
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- Grate cheese just before serving to preserve its texture and flavor.
Notes
Dice vegetables evenly for consistent cooking. Drain and rinse beans to remove excess sodium. Use lean ground beef for less fat. Grate cheese just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months. Add pasta to individual servings if storing to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian