There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a steaming pot of pasta fagioli soup bubbling away on the stove. I remember my Nonna’s tiny kitchen, where a single wooden spoon seemed to stir up enough love for the whole neighborhood.
The smell of garlic, rosemary, and tomatoes would drift through the house long before dinner hit the table. As kids, we’d sneak ladles of this hearty pasta fagioli soup before it was even done — and she always pretended not to notice. Whether you grew up with it or are discovering it for the first time, this is the kind of meal that brings everyone together — one spoonful at a time.
Let’s make memories one bite at a time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta fagioli soup is pure comfort in a bowl. Rich with Italian sausage, tender beans, and perfectly al dente pasta, it’s a weeknight hero that tastes like it simmered all day.
You’ll love how customizable it is — skip the meat, go spicy, or toss in extra veggies. It’s your pot, your call.
Even better? It’s an easy, one-pot dinner that’s ready in under an hour. Perfect for chilly nights when you want a cozy dish without the fuss.
It’s family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and seriously satisfying. The layers of flavor in this pasta fagioli soup deepen beautifully with every bite.
And if you’re craving Olive Garden vibes at home? This one delivers all that warmth and goodness — and then some.
Print
Pasta Fagioli Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This hearty and rustic Pasta Fagioli Soup blends savory Italian sausage, tender beans, aromatic vegetables, and small pasta in a tomato-herb broth. It’s a cozy one-pot wonder that’s perfect for chilly nights or anytime comfort food calls.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), or ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 8 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ditalini or small pasta
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, 3–5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Cook Aromatics: Move sausage to one side of the pot. Add onion and garlic to the other half, cooking until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add Veggies: Stir in carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes. Cook for 4–5 minutes to soften.
- Build the Broth: Add basil, Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, tomato sauce, broth, and beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender.
- Boil Pasta Separately: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil.
- Combine: Stir pasta into soup just before serving and heat through.
- Finish & Serve: Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Cook pasta separately to avoid it soaking up all the broth in leftovers. This soup tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it ahead! For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredient Overview
This pasta fagioli soup is rustic, hearty, and soul-warming — a perfect balance of savory sausage, creamy beans, aromatic herbs, and rich tomato broth.
-
Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps sauté your aromatics to perfection.
-
Italian Sausage: Use mild or spicy for savory depth and satisfying protein.
-
Yellow Onion & Garlic: Build that essential aromatic foundation every great pasta fagioli soup needs.
-
Carrots & Celery: Add sweetness and earthiness to balance the tomato base.
-
Canned Diced Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce: Provide acidity, color, and bold tomato flavor.
-
Italian Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Italian Seasoning): Bring in those warm, cozy Tuscan notes.
-
Red Kidney Beans & Cannellini Beans: Creamy, protein-packed, and essential to the soul of pasta fagioli soup.
-
Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid base — feel free to sub veggie broth for a meatless version.
-
Ditalini or Small Pasta: Holds up well in broth and soaks up all the good flavors.
-
Salt, Black Pepper & Fresh Parsley: Final seasoning touches that bring it all together.
Styling tip: Garnish each bowl with extra parsley and a dusting of fresh parmesan for a rustic Italian finish.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage (or ground beef if you prefer), letting it sear undisturbed for about one minute. Then break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned — about 3 to 5 minutes. For bold pasta fagioli soup flavor, don’t rush this part.
Step 2: Add Aromatics
Push the sausage to one side of the pot. On the other, toss in the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Stir gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and golden. This step gives your pasta fagioli soup a warm, flavorful base that feels like home.
Step 3: Stir in Vegetables
Now add the chopped carrots, celery, and canned diced tomatoes. Stir well and let the veggies soften for about 4 to 5 minutes. Tip: Let the tomatoes slightly caramelize to deepen the flavor of your pasta fagioli soup.
Step 4: Season and Simmer
Add basil, thyme, rosemary, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, kidney beans, and cannellini beans. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta Separately
In a second pot, boil salted water and cook the ditalini (or other small pasta) according to package directions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil. Keeping the pasta separate helps your pasta fagioli soup stay brothy, not soggy.
Step 6: Combine Pasta and Finish
Once veggies are soft and the broth is bubbling, stir in the cooked pasta and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. A few extra cracks of pepper and a pinch of salt can really elevate your pasta fagioli soup.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Ladle into bowls and top with fresh chopped parsley. For a cozy touch, sprinkle with grated parmesan. This pasta fagioli soup is best served hot with crusty bread or garlic toast.
Now that your dish is coming together beautifully, let’s explore some pro tips and creative variations!
Pro Tips
A splash of love makes any pasta fagioli soup special, but a few practical tips never hurt.
Start by browning the sausage deeply. The golden bits left behind — known as fond — enrich the entire pot of pasta fagioli soup with a savory, complex base.
When using canned beans, rinse thoroughly to reduce sodium and let the natural creaminess of the beans shine in your pasta fagioli soup.
Always cook pasta separately. Adding uncooked pasta directly to the pot soaks up your broth and can turn the soup thick and mushy. A little olive oil keeps the pasta from sticking after draining.
Store leftovers with the pasta and soup separated. Otherwise, your lovely pasta fagioli soup may turn into stew overnight.
Finally, let it sit. Like many Italian dishes, this soup tastes even better the next day. The flavors of pasta fagioli soup deepen and meld beautifully after a rest in the fridge.
If you’re planning a cozy fall dinner, you might also love our fall dinner recipes for more seasonal comfort foods.
Variations
You can tailor pasta fagioli soup to suit nearly any taste or pantry.
Go meatless by skipping the sausage and using veggie broth. This version still delivers on comfort, with the beans and pasta providing hearty richness.
Add greens like spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of simmering. They bring color, nutrients, and a nice balance to the starchy goodness of pasta fagioli soup.
Try spicy sausage or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat. It pairs beautifully with the tomato base.
Switch up the beans — Great Northern, navy, or pinto all work wonderfully in pasta fagioli soup.
In the mood for a creamy twist? Stir in a splash of cream or a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella before serving.
Looking for more cozy bowls? You’ll enjoy our fall soup recipes for more ideas that pair well with this Italian classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pasta fagioli soup?
Pasta fagioli soup is a traditional Italian soup made with beans ("fagioli") and pasta in a tomato-based broth. It's rustic, filling, and full of flavor.
What is in Olive Garden’s pasta fagioli soup?
Olive Garden’s version of pasta fagioli soup typically includes ground beef, kidney beans, white beans, pasta, tomatoes, and Italian spices in a savory broth.
What’s the difference between pasta fagioli and minestrone soup?
Minestrone is a vegetable-heavy soup with a variety of ingredients like zucchini, potatoes, and green beans. Pasta fagioli soup focuses on beans, pasta, and a tomato-herb base — simpler but just as hearty.
Can I freeze pasta fagioli soup?
Yes! Freeze the soup without pasta to keep it from becoming mushy. Add fresh-cooked pasta when reheating.
What is Stanley Tucci’s favorite soup?
While he hasn’t officially said, Stanley Tucci has spoken often about his love for traditional Italian fare — and pasta fagioli soup definitely fits the bill.
Serving Suggestions
A bowl of pasta fagioli soup begs to be enjoyed with simple, comforting sides. Crusty Italian bread or warm garlic knots are the perfect companions, ready to soak up that flavorful tomato broth. If you’re serving it for dinner, pair it with a crisp green salad drizzled with balsamic or a glass of Chianti for a true trattoria touch. This soup is made for family-style gatherings, cool-weather nights, and Sunday suppers that fill both bellies and hearts.
When you’re planning a cozy weeknight meal, our chicken breast crockpot recipes or fall dinner recipes can round out your table beautifully.
Conclusion
There’s a kind of magic in a humble pot of pasta fagioli soup. It’s not just the cozy flavors or the satisfying textures — it’s the sense of gathering, of comfort, of home. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or enjoying a quiet bowl on your own, this dish delivers warmth and love with every spoonful. And the best part? It welcomes your creativity, whether you add more herbs, swap beans, or tweak the spice level to your taste.
Ready to make your own pot of pasta fagioli soup? I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Drop a comment below with your favorite twist or ingredient, or tag me on instagram with your homemade version. There’s nothing better than seeing your delicious creations come to life.
From my kitchen to yours — happy cooking!
1 thought on “Pasta Fagioli Soup”