Copycat Pasta Fagioli Soup – Comfort in a Bowl

Introduction

Looking for a delicious recipe that’s both easy and impressive? This Copycat Pasta Fagioli Soup is exactly what you need! With its perfect blend of flavors and simple preparation, this dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Let’s get started on creating this tasty masterpiece!

Of course! This Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup recipe captures the heartiness and rich flavor of the famous Olive Garden version, but it’s easy to make right in your own kitchen. It’s a complete, comforting meal in a bowl.

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup

This soup is a rich, tomato-based broth packed with ground beef, vegetables, beans, and pasta.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the Meat & Aromatics:

· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage for more flavor)
· 1 large yellow onion, diced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 celery stalks, finely diced
· 2 medium carrots, finely diced

For the Broth & Seasonings:

· 6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
· 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or tomato pasta sauce
· 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
· 1 teaspoon dried oregano
· 1 teaspoon dried basil
· ½ teaspoon dried thyme
· 1 bay leaf
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
· Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

For the Beans & Pasta:

· 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
· 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans (or great northern beans), rinsed and drained
· 1 cup ditalini pasta (or other small pasta like elbow or small shells)

To Finish:

· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
· Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots to the pot with the beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have begun to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
Build the Soup: Pour in the beef broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes with their juices. Add the oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cook the Pasta: While the soup is simmering, cook the ditalini pasta separately according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. This prevents the pasta from absorbing all the broth and becoming mushy in the leftovers.
Add Beans and Pasta: After the soup has simmered, stir in the rinsed kidney beans and cannellini beans. Let them heat through for about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the cooked pasta and fresh parsley.
Final Seasoning: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Success Tips & Variations

· The One-Pot Method: If you don’t mind a thicker soup and softer pasta, you can add the uncooked pasta directly to the simmering soup in step 4. Cook for the time indicated on the pasta package, stirring frequently, as the pasta will release starch and thicken the soup.
· For a Richer Flavor: Use 1 lb of Italian sausage instead of ground beef. A mix of half beef and half sausage is also excellent.
· Make it Vegetarian: Omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth. Add an extra can of beans or 1 cup of chopped mushrooms for heartiness.
· Texture Preference: For a thicker, more “stew-like” soup, you can mash about ½ cup of the beans with a fork before adding them to the pot.
· Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so you may need to add a little extra broth or water when reheating.
· Freezing: This soup freezes well, but for best results, freeze it without the pasta. Make fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve.

Enjoy this delicious, hearty copycat soup with a side of warm, crusty bread for dipping

Conclusion

Congratulations on making this delicious Copycat Pasta Fagioli Soup! We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed every bite of this flavorful dish. This recipe is perfect for sharing with family and friends, and we’re confident it will become a regular favorite in your kitchen.

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