Classic Italian Pasta E Fagioli Recipes

AUTHENTIC PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Drain ONE can of beans, and set aside.
• In a large soup pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and pancetta and saute until onions are golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and rosemary and saute about 4 additional minutes.
• Transfer sauteed ingredients to a blender or food processor and add the two other cans of beans (liquid included). Puree until smooth.
• Add the pureed mixture back into the pot, along with the drained beans, the chicken and beef broth, salt, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat.
• Taste, and add more salt if necessary.
• Serve, topped with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese, if you like.

PASTA E FAGIOLI (ITALIAN PASTA AND BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and about 10 twists of black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 6 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, stir, and cook until the tomatoes are bubbling all over. Add the broth, water, bay leaves, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and reducing the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Use a heat-safe measuring cup to transfer about 1 1/2 cups of the soup (avoiding the bay leaves) to a blender. Add about 3/4 cup of the drained beans. Securely fasten the lid and blend until completely smooth, being careful to avoid hot steam escaping from the lid. Pour the blended mixture back into the soup.
• Add the remaining beans, pasta, kale and parsley to the simmering soup. Continue cooking, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta and greens are pleasantly tender.
• Remove the pot from the heat, then remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add another 1/4 teaspoon) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup as desired, and serve.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day. Allow leftover soup to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Or, freeze leftover soup in individual portions and defrost as necessary.

PASTA E FAGIOLI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch Oven, combine the beans, bay leaves and 2 quarts (8 cups) of water. Bring to a boil, over medium high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
• Using a colander set over a bowl, drain the beans, collecting the broth into the bowl. Add chicken stock to complete 6 cups of liquid. Reserve the broth and the beans.
• Wipe down the pot and bring it back to the stove, over medium heat. Heat the olive oil and sauté the pancetta until golden brown. Remove and place in a paper towel-lined plate to soak up the excess grease. Reserve.
• Add the onion, leek, carrot and celery, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for a minute or two, or until fragrant.
• Stir in the thyme leaves and cook for about a minute.
• Add the pancetta back into the pot. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parmesan rind, reserved broth, salt and pepper.
• Cover, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, cook the pasta separately, according to package instructions.
• Add reserved beans and cooked pasta to the soup.
• Stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper.
• Stir in the sliced basil, reserving some for garnishing.
• Garnish with basil and fresh thyme. Serve immediately.

PASTA E FAGIOLI (ITALIAN SOUP) WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium high heat.
• Cook onion in oil 2 minutes.
• Stir in garlic, celery and carrots and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add and brown crumbled sausage.
• Add basil, oregano and red pepper.
• Toss to coat.
• Stir in tomatoes and stock.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
• If necessary, add an additional cup of stock or water and stir in beans and tiny pasta.
• Simmer for 6- 8 minutes or until pasta is tender.
• Stir in parsley and serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese.

PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook the celery, carrots, onion and garlic until they're tender.
• Stir the broth, Italian seasoning and tomatoes in the skillet. Heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Add the pasta and beans and cook for 5 minutes.
• Place half of the broth mixture into a blender or food processor. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour the pureed mixture into the skillet. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot.

CLASSIC ITALIAN PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• In a large pot, place cranberry beans and water. Bring to a boil. Cover pot and turn heat off. Allow to stand for one hour on burner.
• Drain beans and return to large cooking pot. Add wine, beef broth, and chicken broth. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Puree half of the beans. Return to the pot. Add the garlic, tomato paste, parsley, and farfalle pasta. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until pasta is tender and soup is thick. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with drizzled olive oil, and additional grated Parmesan cheese.

PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onion, celery and carrots for 10 mins until lightly golden. Add the garlic, rosemary and bay and fry for a minute more.
• Add the stock and chopped tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Tip in the Napolina cannellini beans, bring back to a simmer and cook for 5 mins. Roughly mash with a potato masher to break up some of the beans (or pulse once with a hand blender) - this will thicken the soup slightly. Season well.
• Add the pasta and cavolo nero, then simmer for 4-6 mins more until the pasta and greens are tender. Taste for seasoning, then remove and discard the rosemary sprigs and bay. Serve the soup in warmed bowls with a drizzle more olive oil and a grating of parmesan.