Easy Pasta Fagioli Recipe
EASY Pasta Fagioli Recipe is a easy Italian recipe that serves 6. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Preppy Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min
Cost: $6.07 total, $1.01 per serving
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra-virgin, for sautéing)
- 1 large Celery Stalk (chopped into half‑moon pieces)
- 3 large Carrots (peeled and cut into half‑moon or quarter‑moon pieces)
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 6 Garlic Cloves (peeled and minced or pressed)
- 0.25 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional for heat)
- 28 ounce Diced Tomatoes (canned, undrained)
- 2 teaspoons Oregano (fresh or dried)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 6 cups Vegetable Stock (low‑sodium; chicken stock works too)
- 2 Bay Leaves (fresh if possible; dried if not)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (plus to taste)
- 1 cup Ditalini Pasta (dry; other small pasta shapes work)
- 0.25 cup Parsley (fresh, chopped)
- 15 ounce Red Kidney Beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 15 ounce Cannellini Beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
Instructions
Prepare the mirepoix
Chop the celery stalk, carrots, and onion into bite‑size pieces (half‑moon or quarter‑moon for carrots) and set aside.
Time: PT5M
Heat oil
Add 3 Tbsp olive oil to the Dutch oven and heat over medium‑high heat until shimmering.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Sauté onions
Add the diced onion to the hot oil and cook, stirring frequently, until the edges turn golden brown.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium‑high
Add vegetables and garlic
Stir in the chopped celery, carrots, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure the garlic does not burn.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑high
Add tomatoes and seasonings
Pour in the 28‑oz can of diced tomatoes, add oregano, black pepper, bay leaves, and 1 tsp salt. Stir, then add 6 cups of vegetable stock. Bring the soup to a boil.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium‑high
Cook the pasta
Add 1 cup dry ditalini pasta to the boiling soup. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium‑high
Chop parsley
While the pasta cooks, finely chop ¼ cup fresh parsley.
Time: PT2M
Add beans and finish simmering
Drain and rinse the red kidney beans and cannellini beans. Add them to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes on medium‑low heat until heated through.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑low
Finish and serve
Remove the bay leaves, stir in the chopped parsley, and ladle into bowls. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 250
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 40 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fiber
- 8 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten
Allergens: Wheat, Beans
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Olive Oil: vegetable oil, canola oil
- Instead of Celery Stalk: celery ribs
- Instead of Carrots: parsnips
- Instead of Onion: shallots
- Instead of Garlic Cloves: garlic paste
- Instead of Red Pepper Flakes: cayenne pepper, chili powder
- Instead of Diced Tomatoes: crushed tomatoes, fresh diced tomatoes
- Instead of Oregano: Italian seasoning
- Instead of Black Pepper: white pepper
- Instead of Vegetable Stock: chicken stock, water with bouillon
- Instead of Bay Leaves: dried bay leaf
- Instead of Salt: sea salt, kosher salt
- Instead of Ditalini Pasta: orzo, small shells
- Instead of Parsley: cilantro, basil
- Instead of Red Kidney Beans: pinto beans
- Instead of Cannellini Beans: great northern beans
Equipment Needed
- Dutch Oven
- Wooden Spoon
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons
- Can Opener
- Ladle (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Brown the onions until golden for flavor depth.
- Prevent garlic from burning by keeping heat moderate.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture.
- Add beans after pasta so they stay intact.
- Adjust seasoning before the final garnish.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use homemade chicken or vegetable stock for richer flavor.
- Fresh oregano and parsley give a brighter taste than dried.
- Reserve a cup of the bean liquid before draining; stir it in for a silkier broth.
Troubleshooting
Pasta becomes mushy.
Cook pasta for a shorter time (7‑8 min) and remove the pot from heat as soon as it reaches al dente. The residual heat will finish cooking it.
Soup is too thin.
Add a ladle of the bean cooking liquid (aquafaba) or a splash more stock, then simmer to thicken.
Garlic tastes bitter.
Make sure garlic is added after the onions have browned and cook only 1‑2 minutes; lower the heat if it starts to brown too quickly.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in freezer‑safe bags for up to 2 months; reheat gently and add a splash of stock.
Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature; cool to room temp then refrigerate.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the mirepoix and store in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
- Cook the beans ahead of time and keep them rinsed in water.
- Make a batch of homemade vegetable stock and freeze in portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Pasta Fagioli in Italian cuisine?
Pasta Fagioli, meaning "pasta and beans," originated as a peasant dish in Italy, using inexpensive pantry staples to create a nourishing soup. Over time, tomatoes and various beans from the Americas were incorporated, turning it into the hearty staple we know today.
What are the traditional regional variations of Pasta Fagioli in Italy?
In central Italy, especially Rome, the soup often features small ditalini pasta and cannellini beans with a tomato base. In the north, you may find added pancetta or a richer broth, while southern versions might include more garlic and chili for heat.
How is authentic Pasta Fagioli traditionally served in Italy?
Traditionally, Pasta Fagioli is served hot in deep bowls, garnished with a drizzle of extra‑virgin olive oil, fresh parsley, and a side of crusty bread. It is often enjoyed as a first course (primo) during lunch or dinner.
What occasions or celebrations is Pasta Fagioli associated with in Italian culture?
Pasta Fagioli is a comforting everyday meal but is also popular during family gatherings, especially in the cooler months, and is served at informal celebrations like birthday lunches or holiday brunches.
How does Pasta Fagioli fit into the broader Italian cuisine tradition?
The soup embodies the Italian culinary principles of simplicity, seasonality, and using pantry staples. It showcases the Italian love for legumes, pasta, and fresh herbs, making it a perfect example of cucina povera that has become a beloved comfort food.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Pasta Fagioli versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional ingredients include ditalini pasta, cannellini or borlotti beans, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and bay leaves. Substitutes can be other small pasta shapes, different beans like kidney or pinto, and dried herbs if fresh are unavailable.
What other Italian dishes pair well with Pasta Fagioli?
Pasta Fagioli pairs nicely with a simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, a slice of focaccia or ciabatta, and a glass of Chianti or a light white wine such as Vermentino.
What makes Pasta Fagioli special or unique in Italian cuisine?
Its combination of pasta and beans provides a complete protein, making it both hearty and nutritious. The soup’s flexibility—allowing variations in beans, herbs, and heat level—reflects the adaptable nature of Italian home cooking.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Pasta Fagioli?
Common pitfalls include overcooking the pasta, which turns mushy, burning the garlic, which adds bitterness, and adding salt only at the end, which can leave the soup under‑seasoned. Also, be careful not to add too much stock, which dilutes flavor.
How do I know when Pasta Fagioli is done cooking?
The soup is ready when the vegetables are tender, the pasta is al dente (firm to the bite), and the beans are heated through. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt or pepper before serving.
What does the YouTube channel Preppy Kitchen specialize in?
The YouTube channel Preppy Kitchen, hosted by John Kanell, focuses on approachable, classic comfort foods with clear step‑by‑step tutorials, often highlighting easy shortcuts and variations for home cooks.
How does the YouTube channel Preppy Kitchen's approach to Italian cooking differ from other Italian cooking channels?
Preppy Kitchen emphasizes simplicity and flexibility, encouraging viewers to use store‑bought mirepoix or substitute ingredients while still preserving authentic flavor, whereas many other Italian channels stick strictly to traditional techniques and ingredients.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
