Cozy Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli

This filling soup is like a love letter to Olive Garden’s classic Pasta e Fagioli. It mixes ground beef, beans, fresh veggies, and tender pasta in a broth that’s rich and full of flavor. Perfect for chilly nights, it feels like a cozy hug in a bowl.

This dish ended up as one of my quick, go-to choices when I needed something wholesome and easy. It’s a hit at home, especially on hectic nights when everyone’s craving comfort food.

Needed Ingredients

• Celery: adds earthiness and crunch, choose fresh stalks that snap
• Ground beef: gives a meaty, satisfying flavor with good protein, lean or medium fat works fine
• Diced tomatoes: bring brightness and a little zing, canned with juice is perfect
• Italian seasoning: blends oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary for that classic herb flavor
• Small pasta like ditalini: for the right bite, semolina pasta works best
• Onion: brings sweetness and aroma, firm without soft spots is ideal
• Kidney beans: offer a nutty bite, rinse canned beans to cut sodium
• Garlic: packs pungent depth, pick fresh, firm, unblemished cloves
• Beef broth: deepens meaty taste, homemade or quality store-bought is great
• Salt and pepper: to bring out all the flavors, adjust as you like
• Cannellini beans: creamy and mild, rinse canned ones well
• Olive oil: starts the base with flavor, extra virgin gives the best results
• Carrots: add sweetness and color, choose bright, firm ones

Step-By-Step Directions

Start The Flavor Base

Warm olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion, carrots, and celery until they’re soft and smell great. This mix builds the soup’s main taste.

Bring In The Garlic

Toss in minced garlic and cook for about a minute. Don’t leave it too long or it might taste bitter.

Cook The Beef

Put ground beef in the pot and brown it well. Break up big pieces so it cooks evenly and gets that rich meaty flavor.

Add The Important Stuff

Stir in drained kidney and cannellini beans, diced tomatoes with juice, broth, and Italian herbs. Mix everything together well.

Let It Simmer

Bring it to a boil, then drop heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes so the flavors blend nicely.

Cook The Pasta

Put the tiny pasta in and keep cooking until soft, usually around 10 minutes. Stir sometimes so it doesn’t stick to the pot.

Season And Taste

Finish off with salt and pepper. Taste it and add more if you think it needs some extra punch.

I love tossing a Parmesan rind into the pot while it simmers. It makes the broth richer with a subtle savory and creamy twist. I remember lots of family dinners where this soup’s smell got everyone rushing to the table.

Storage Advice

Keep this soup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days. The taste actually deepens after sitting overnight. To freeze it, cool completely, then put it in freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the fridge overnight before warming up slowly on the stove. Pasta thickens as it sits, so you might want to add a splash of broth when reheating.

Swaps And Twists

If you like a little spice, swap ground beef for Italian sausage. For a leaner option, try ground turkey or chicken, though the broth might be lighter. Beans aren’t set in stone either—chickpeas or navy beans mix things up nicely. Toss in spinach or kale near the end for a fresh green boost.

Great Sides To Try

A crisp green salad with a lemony vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Warm, crusty bread or garlic breadsticks make dunking fun. A light red wine like Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with the herbs and beef.

This warm stew is a classic that always brings comfort and full satisfaction to any meal. It’s flexible and flavorful, making it a must-have anytime.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What pasta shapes fit this soup best?

Tiny pasta like ditalini works great since it soaks up the broth and cooks evenly without falling apart.

→ Is there a way to make it vegetarian?

Yeah just leave out the ground beef and swap the beef broth for vegetable broth to keep rich flavors.

→ How do the beans affect the soup?

Kidney and cannellini beans bring creaminess and a nice texture that contrasts well with veggies and pasta.

→ Which seasonings make the flavor pop?

Italian seasoning has herbs like basil and oregano that lift the taste of beef, tomatoes, and veggies for a savory broth.

→ How can I make the broth richer?

Drop a Parmesan rind in while it simmers to add deep, savory flavors and a fuller mouthfeel.