Pasta Fagioli – Olive Garden copycat recipe. This hearty soup is filled with spicy Italian sausage, veggies, pasta, and beans and topped with fresh shredded Parmesan cheese. It is serious comfort food that the whole family will love!
My husband has been gone for a couple weeks now and while I’m the first to admit that it pretty much sucks, there are some good points to being alone.
- My grocery bill is less than half of what it is with him home! I knew he ate a lot but holy cow.
- I can get up at 4 am and no one yells at me!
- To go with the above, I can sleep on the couch so that I can get up at 4 am without my children hearing and no one yells at me!
- I can read all 3 books of The Hunger Games (again) without anyone asking me why I’m reading books meant for teenagers (again).
- Real Housewives marathons. Enough said.
- Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches are officially considered dinner.
- I can make instant coffee and not feel guilty because I know he won’t ask for espresso unless he sees me prepping the machine.
- There are no PTs to wash every night!
- I can cook whatever I want, whenever I want! (!!)
And that last one is the reason I made this soup.
How To Make Pasta Fagioli!
Pasta Fagioli is a really simple, hearty soup made with sausage, pasta, veggies, and beans.
It starts with sautéeing diced onion, carrot, and celery in a large stock pot until the veggies have softened. Then hot Italian sausage (feel free to use sweet Italian sausage if you aren’t a huge fan of spice) gets added to the pot and cooked through. Everything gets seasoned with Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Crushed tomatoes and chicken stock are stirred in and then it all simmers together for 30 minutes.
Once it has all simmered together, add the small pasta (I use ditalini) and white beans and cook just until the pasta is done, about 6 – 8 minutes, depending on which small pasta you use.
When you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle with some fresh grated Parmesan and green onions, if desired.
How Long Is Pasta Fagioli Good For?
Pasta Fagioli will stay good for 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.
The pasta will continue to absorb the liquid as it sits so you may need to add more chicken broth to the soup when you reheat it. You can reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Can Pasta Fagioli Be Frozen?
Yes! It freezes very well! Just make sure to use airtight, freezer-safe containers.
My favorite way to reheat it from frozen is to add it (frozen) to the slow cooker with a couple extra splashes of broth and let it warm for a couple hours. You can also let it thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove or microwave if you prefer.
What To Serve with Pasta Fagioli?
I like to serve Pasta Fagioli with a green salad and Italian bread to dip into the broth. It is also perfectly fine on it’s own, especially on a cold day.
More Soup Recipes
- Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Autumn Squash Soup
- Texas Tortilla Soup
- Sausage, Lentil, and Kale Soup
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Pasta Fagioli
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled & chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed if necessary
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 -2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 15- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3 - 4 cups chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 1 can cannellini beans
- 1 cup ditalini, or other small pasta
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it just begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots; cook, stirring frequently, for another 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the sausage to the pot, crumbling as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper. Stir in tomatoes and stock.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
- Stir in the beans and ditalini. (Add an extra cup of stock or water at this point if it's boiled down too much.) Simmer for 6- 8 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Serve piping hot with Parmesan cheese. (I really liked the sharpness of the green onions with this as well.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 478Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 1319mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 5gSugar: 10gProtein: 27g
Kita says
Peanut butter and fluff are always a staple – man around or not! lol, there’s always cereal if they need it ;) 4 am though, you may be crazy.
I love pasta fagioli, one of my all time favorite soups. Glad you were able to sneak this in.
Pam @ From Apples To Zucchini says
I have been wanting to make this FOREVER! It looks amazing!
Cassie says
This soup looks absolutely amazing. I love that this one is pretty straight-forward and I bet it tastes phenomenal. I’m gonna try it!
LeAnna says
The soup sound wonderful! I hope to make it soon.
I know how it goes when your husband is gone. My poor kids end up eating the weirdest things when he’s out of town. He’s gone to Dallas today, and I’m thinking we may have Lunchables for dinner just so I don’t have to cook. :)
Living the Sweet Life says
PB & Fluff – – that’s the stuff champions are made of!! I’ve been meaning to try this soup – – it sounds so good!!
Erin says
I really love pasta fagioli but the only time I have made it myself I wasn’t that impressed. Definitely going to give it another try with this one.
Nutmeg Nanny says
This soup looks delicious! Perfect for fall and winter…yum!
I love that you read The Hunger Games. I was just thinking about reading those books but feared I would get the whole “teenager books…again?” comments. I read Twilight and got tons of crap for that. Totally ordering these books now!
amanda says
The Hunger Games are SO good! And their quick, easy reads. You need to read them!
mk says
IMHO Novels like The Hunger Games may seem like teen reads to people who haven’t read them but they are so much more than that. A lot of YA novels may be superficial but far more of them are highly sophisticated and some of the best reads out there – they really make you think!
BTW: I just found this receipt posted on Facebook and I’m making it tonight. Sounds perfect, with an arctic chill headed our way. I think a heaping bowl of this and a good novel by the fire will make for a perfect evening!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Oh hubs would love this – seriously. And did we or did we not cover the whole fluffernutter bit hmmm?? lol Isn’t it so funny how there are pros and cons to being home alone with the kids?
Michele says
This looks great! Great for the cold front we are supposed to get in Florida this weekend. ;)
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Oh I so get you on this one. There are postitives and negatives when our men are away. Pasta Fagioli reminds me of my husband actually. I remember he ate it on our honeymoon at a little Italian festival we went on. Weird thing to remember, I know.
Christin says
I love soups with meat and pasta, especially ditalini. So hearty! Might chow down on this next week while i watch Real Housewives!
Nisrine says
This sounds comforting and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Christina @ This Woman Cooks! says
I usually don’t consider soup as a meal either, glad to hear this was filling enough! I really want to make it now!
Julie @ Table for Two says
This looks awesome for a cold winter day. Real housewives = love.
How long is your husband gone for? I love that you get up early. I’m the same way :) well, not on weekends..just during the week lol
amanda says
He’s just gone for a month or so. Not too bad this time. :)
Ashley says
thinking this will be the perfect replacement for chili when the guys are over for football on sunday! how many servings do you think it makes?
amanda says
It makes quite a big pot – maybe 6 – 8 servings. Let me know how it goes over with the guys! :)
Lauren @ hey, who cut the cheese? says
Yum! Looks really great.
Memoria says
I love Pasta E fagioli (pasta AND beans). Your dish looks absolutely perfect! YUM! I’ve bookmarked this recipe. Enjoy your time alone!
Chefanie Frasco says
This is one of my favorite soups! I have to make this. I will let you know how it turns out! YUMMMMM!
Jenna says
Yuuumm!! Do you chop up all the sausage very fine before you cook it?
amanda says
I actually bought bulk sausage so I just treated it like ground beef, kind of breaking it up as I went. If you buy the sausage in casings, just remove them from the casings and crumble it into the pan. And then just break it up like any other ground meat.
Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
Cristina says
In celebration of finally getting a cool front, I live in Florida, I made this soup Monday night. O.M.G! It was SO good!! Even my boyfriend and son loved it. I will definitely be making this again, thanks for sharing :)
Tessie says
It seems this ones recipe is missing :(
amanda says
Sorry, the recipe plugin I was using crashed my site. Recipe is up now though! :)
Tessie says
Thank you! Its so tasty!
sandra says
Hi! this soup looks amazing. I’m having a few friends over tonight for dinner and was thinking of making this soup. How many does this recipe serve? I’m just wondering if I should double the recipe.
thanks:)
Sandra
amanda says
Sorry I missed your comment yesterday! If you made the soup last night, I’m sure you know it makes a ton! :P But yeah, I always have a ton of leftovers – I would say it serves 6 – 8. :)
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
I blog my version of your recipe today. So good. Thanks for sharing!
Emili Hostetler says
How many servings does this make?
amanda says
I would say 6-8 servings. Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
Amy says
Just made this tonight! Very good! I added a can of tomato sauce too.
Aprile says
this sounds delicious but you need a new man
Dawn Justice says
This looks really tasty I am definitely going to make this soon. I like warm soups this time of year, it warms you up from the inside. :)
Kate says
I’ve had this recipe on file for almost a year now and just made it tonight. All I have to say is that I wish I didn’t wait so long! It was a HUGE hit and will definitely be making again soon. Thanks for sharing!
amanda says
Great to hear! Thanks for coming back to tell me! :)
Michele H. says
I’ve made this soup before and it is wonderful! I cook the pasta ditalini or mini shells in a separate pot first-very al dente- then add them at the last minute to the soup. I like my pasta to stay firm. And of course with Parmesan-Reggiano grated on top and nice warm rolls to sop up the soup!
Carol Scarcello says
I remember commenting on a pin for pasta fagioli, but I don’t remember whose it was. I grew up on pasta fagioli, but as a pasta dish, not a soup. Loved it growing up and still love it today!
Barb says
Good soup.I made it with tortellini but I like these noodles better .sometimes I add fresh spinach.
Jules says
Wow! Delicious! So the only thing I did differently was add more noodles and more vegetables. I did bow tie noodles because it is what I had on hand and turned out wonderful! It is def a keeper recipe. Taste just like Olive Garden. Its 85 degrees here in Virginia but I still made it for me and hubby and there are no leftovers! Also, the Parmesan cheese really makes the soup! Try it, you won’t regret it (:
Julie says
I make this all the time! My entire family loves it. I use mild Italian sausage and just a sprinkling of red pepper (cuz we’re spice wimps), and a 32 oz can of crushed tomatoes (can’t find a 15 oz can and I hate to waste the rest) It’s easy and always perfect. A loaf of crusty Italian and dinner is done. Thank you!
Carol Fitch says
Oh my goodness. This is such a wonderful tasty recipe. Picky husband, but made it anyway. Well it was a hit.
I cut back on the red pepper flakes. Not spicy eaters. Just added 1/2 tspn … yummy.
Kristine says
Do you drain the beans?