When it comes to comforting, hearty meals, Olive Garden’s Pasta e Fagioli soup stands out as one of the most popular dishes. Known for its robust flavors, this Italian soup combines beans, pasta, and meat, making it perfect for chilly evenings or large family gatherings. If you’re looking for a way to bring the rich taste of Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden recipe into your own kitchen, this copycat recipe is your solution. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can recreate the beloved restaurant experience at home.
This article will cover everything from the origins of Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden recipe, to ingredient breakdowns, cooking tips, and suggestions for serving. Plus, we’ll dive into how you can make this soup vegetarian or even gluten-free. Let’s get cooking!
What is Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden ?
In Italian, Pasta e Fagioli means “pasta and beans.” This dish has its roots in humble, rural Italian kitchens, where it was a peasant dish made with affordable ingredients that were readily available: dried beans, small pasta, and vegetables. While it may have originated as a simple meal, Pasta e Fagioli has grown into a beloved comfort food worldwide.
What sets Pasta e Fagioli apart from other Italian soups like minestrone is its simplicity. The traditional recipe contains just a few core ingredients—beans (usually kidney beans or cannellini beans), pasta, and a basic mirepoix (a mix of onions, carrots, and celery). While minestrone includes a broader array of vegetables, Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden recipe focuses more on the beans and pasta, making it a thicker, heartier soup.
To explore other Italian-inspired dishes that use affordable ingredients, check out these spaghetti squash recipes for healthy meal ideas, which provide nutritious and delicious alternatives to traditional pasta.
The Olive Garden Twist on Tradition
While traditional Italian versions of Pasta e Fagioli are typically vegetarian, Olive Garden’s version includes ground beef or Italian sausage, adding extra depth and heartiness to the dish. It also uses two types of kidney beans—red and white—to create a more diverse texture. Additionally, Olive Garden seasons the soup with classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley, which gives the dish a rich, comforting flavor profile.
One of the things that makes Olive Garden‘s version special is how the soup is slow-cooked. This long simmer allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a dish that’s rich in flavor and packed with nutrients.
For an even deeper dive into how to elevate the flavor of beans in your cooking, check out this guide on how to add flavor to beans. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to make the most out of beans in any recipe, including Pasta e Fagioli.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Recreating Olive Garden’s Pasta e Fagioli soup at home requires some simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need and why they matter:
Core Ingredients:
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: Olive Garden uses ground beef for its version of Pasta e Fagioli, but you can also substitute with Italian sausage for an added layer of spice. For a healthier twist, you could use ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Onions, carrots, and celery (mirepoix): These three vegetables form the flavor base for the soup. The slow-cooking process helps these vegetables release their sweetness and deepen the soup’s flavor.
- Red and white kidney beans: These are the “fagioli” (beans) in Pasta e Fagioli. Using two types of kidney beans adds texture and variety to the soup. If you prefer, you can substitute cannellini beans or great northern beans.
- Ditalini pasta: This small, tube-shaped pasta is the classic choice for Pasta e Fagioli. If you can’t find ditalini, you can use small shells or elbow macaroni.
- Beef stock or vegetable stock: The stock forms the broth for the soup. If you’re making a vegetarian version, swap the beef stock for vegetable stock.
- Tomato-based ingredients: You’ll need a combination of canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. These create a rich, flavorful base for the soup.
- Italian herbs: Oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme are essential to give this dish its classic Italian flavor.
Optional Ingredients:
- Red pepper flakes: Add these for a touch of heat.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a delicious, salty richness when served on top of the soup.
- Bay leaves: For additional depth of flavor, you can add a couple of bay leaves while the soup simmers.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by browning the ground beef or Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. If you want to add even more flavor, you can sauté the onions with the meat. Once the meat is fully browned and cooked through, drain any excess fat to prevent the soup from becoming too greasy.
Step 2: Prepare the Mirepoix
In the same skillet (or a separate pan), sauté the onions, carrots, and celery over medium heat until softened—about 5-7 minutes. The sweetness from the carrots and the aromatics from the onions and celery create the base flavor for the soup. This step is key to developing a rich, flavorful broth.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the browned meat and cooked vegetables to a slow cooker. Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans (both red and white), beef stock, and Italian herbs. If you want to add extra spice, throw in some red pepper flakes at this stage.
Set your slow cooker on low and let the soup simmer for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together. If you’re short on time, you can make this on the stovetop by simmering everything in a large pot for about 60-90 minutes.
For other slow-cooker meal ideas, consider trying this Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe, another fantastic Italian dish that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta Separately
While the soup is simmering, cook the ditalini pasta separately according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente—it should still have a slight bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when added to the soup.
Step 5: Add the Pasta Before Serving
About 10-15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, add the cooked pasta to the soup. This step ensures the pasta retains its texture and doesn’t get overcooked. Stir everything together and let the pasta heat through.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. If you’re feeling indulgent, serve the soup alongside warm garlic breadsticks or a fresh garden salad.
Tips for Making the Best Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden
1. Choose the Right Meat
While Olive Garden uses ground beef, Italian sausage can bring a lot more flavor and spice to the soup. If you’re looking to make the soup healthier, try substituting with ground turkey or even a plant-based meat option like Beyond Meat.
2. Don’t Overcook the Pasta
One of the most important tips for making Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden is not to overcook the pasta. Since the pasta continues to soften as it sits in the soup, it’s best to cook it separately and add it just before serving. This will help prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
3. Experiment with Herbs and Spices
The standard Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley work great, but don’t be afraid to add your own twist. You can experiment with rosemary, thyme, or even a dash of cinnamon to give the soup a unique flavor.
4. Make It Vegetarian or Vegan
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock. Add more beans or use plant-based meat alternatives. For a vegan version, make sure the Parmesan cheese garnish is vegan-friendly, or leave it off entirely.
5. Meal Prep and Freezing Tips
This soup is perfect for meal prep because it stores well in the fridge or freezer. If you plan to freeze it, leave the pasta out and add it when you reheat the soup. This will prevent the pasta from getting mushy during freezing and thawing.
Nutritional Benefits of Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden
This hearty soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits, thanks to its key ingredients:
- Beans: Both red and white kidney beans are excellent sources of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins like folate, magnesium, and iron. The fiber in beans helps with digestion and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, making this dish satisfying without being overly heavy.
- Ground Beef: If you’re using lean ground beef, it provides a good amount of protein and essential nutrients like iron and zinc. If you’re watching your saturated fat intake, consider using ground turkey or a plant-based alternative.
- Vegetables: The mirepoix of onions, carrots, and celery adds important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. These vegetables also give the soup a slightly sweet undertone, which balances the savory flavors of the beef and beans.
- Tomato-Based Broth: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which support immune function and help fight inflammation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Make Pasta e Fagioli on the Stovetop Instead of a Slow Cooker?
Yes! If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can easily prepare this soup on the stovetop. After browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables, combine all the ingredients in a large pot and simmer on low heat for about 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving.
What Can I Use Instead of Ditalini Pasta?
If you can’t find ditalini pasta, don’t worry—any small pasta shape will work, including small shells, elbow macaroni, or wagon wheels. For a gluten-free version, try gluten-free pasta options that maintain their shape when cooked, such as those made from chickpeas or lentils. You can read more about gluten-free pasta alternatives here.
How Can I Thicken the Soup?
If you want to thicken the soup, try mashing a portion of the beans before adding them to the pot. This will give the broth a creamier texture. You can also add a little extra Parmesan cheese, which will melt into the soup and help thicken it.
Can I Make This Soup Ahead of Time?
Yes! Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare the soup base and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Just be sure to store the pasta separately and add it when you reheat the soup. This will prevent the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy.
What to Serve with Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Pasta e Fagioli is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but if you want to recreate the full Olive Garden experience, here are some ideas for sides and accompaniments:
- Garlic Breadsticks: Nothing complements this soup quite like a basket of warm, buttery garlic breadsticks. They’re perfect for dipping into the rich, flavorful broth.
- Garden Salad: A fresh garden salad with Italian dressing is a light, refreshing side that balances out the heartiness of the soup.
- Italian Cheesy Bread: For something more indulgent, serve the soup with Italian cheesy bread or focaccia.
For more ideas on pairing dishes, check out this article on what makes the perfect burrito, which provides insights on how to balance flavors in hearty meals like this one.
Conclusion
With this recipe, you can recreate the comforting flavors of Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden recipe famous Pasta e Fagioli soup right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or prepping meals for the week, this dish is sure to become a staple in your household. Don’t hesitate to tweak the recipe to suit your dietary preferences—whether it’s making it vegetarian, adding extra spices, or swapping out the pasta for a gluten-free option.
Enjoy the warmth and heartiness of Pasta e Fagioli soup, and don’t forget to pair it with a side of garlic breadsticks and salad for the full Olive Garden experience!