Description
Italian Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a hearty and flavorful meal featuring tender pasta, creamy cannellini beans, and smoky turkey bacon in a rich, herb-infused vegetable broth. This comforting dish is easy to prepare, packed with wholesome ingredients, and perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 4 ounces smoked turkey bacon, diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes (natural)
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Liquids and Oils
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Pasta
- 1 cup small pasta shapes like ditalini
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, sautéing until softened and fragrant to create the flavorful foundation of the soup.
- Add Smoked Turkey Bacon: Stir in the diced smoked turkey bacon and cook for a few minutes until it releases its smoky aroma and begins to crisp, adding savory depth.
- Incorporate Liquids and Herbs: Add crushed tomatoes (natural), vegetable broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), fresh rosemary, and thyme to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld.
- Cook the Beans and Pasta: Add drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot. Once simmering, stir in the pasta and cook until tender yet slightly firm to the bite, maintaining perfect texture.
- Season and Finish: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to your preference. Just before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use fresh rosemary and thyme for more pronounced flavor compared to dried herbs.
- Add pasta towards the end of cooking and monitor it closely to avoid overcooking.
- Stir gently after adding beans to keep them intact and preserve a hearty texture.
- Simmer the soup slowly to develop rich flavors without thickening it too much.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to ensure balanced taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian, Pasta e Fagioli, Soup, Cannellini Beans, Turkey Bacon, Hearty, Comfort Food
