Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Pasta and Bean Soup) is one of those amazing soup recipes where you just throw everything in. A hearty classic Italian soup that is easy to adapt and you can use pretty much anything you have leftover in your fridge and freezer. Not only is it vegan, but it's low in calories and fat too.
This might just be the most filling and comforting soup there is. It is packed with vegetables, but also bursting with pasta and beans to make it filling. Italians aren't just famous for pizza and pasta, and this is an Italian classic. A delicious tomato based soup that is easy to adapt.
Looking for some other hearty and filling recipes? Why not try our Sausage and Mash Pie, Stuffed Butternut Squash, Chorizo Mac and Cheese or Healthy Fish Pie.
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What is Pasta e Fagioli Soup?
Pasta e Fagioli translates to "pasta and beans" and that is pretty much the base of this soup, with a few other nutritious ingredients thrown in to make this a hearty and healthy vegan soup. Like most other classic Italian dishes, this started out as a peasant dish that used only cheap ingredients.
Chunky vegetables in a tomato broth - this is total comfort food that will keep you warm through the winter.
The soup is often called 'Pasta Fazool' where the word fazool is derived from the Sicilian or Neapolitan dialect for beans.
Why You Will Love It
- Great vegan meal
- Protein packed with beans
- You can use any ingredients that you have
- Low in calories
- Virtually fat free
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Olive oil - You could swap with for sunflower or vegetable oil, but olive oil is always our base for cooking a recipe.
- Onion, carrots and celery - The holy trinity of Italian cooking, not only does this add so much flavour to the soup, but it gives it a nice chunky texture.
- Canned Tomatoes - Try to use the best quality tomatoes you can buy, as you really can tell the difference. Cheap tomatoes are really watery, and don't have much flavour.
- Stock - Like the tomatoes, try to use the best quality stock you can - homemade is always best. If you are making this Pasta e Fagioli for young children, then use a low salt stock.
- Beans - We used cannellini beans to keep it traditional, however if you wanted to make this a budget friendly soup then you could use whatever tinned beans you ha.
- Dried herbs
- Pasta - Like the beans, you can use any dried pasta shapes to keep this a budget friendly dish.
- Cheese - Some freshly grated Parmesan really finishes this soup off.
Variations
For this we used onion, celery, carrot and kale, but you can literally use anything. Some recipes use (courgette) zucchini, potatoes or green beans. Other recipes use peas or even root vegetables. It is entirely up to you.
As long as you have the pasta and bean base, use any vegetables you have in the kitchen or garden.
Step by Step Instructions
One: Put a little oil in to a large pan and add the onion, garlic, carrot and celery and gently sweat for 5 minutes.
Two: Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
Three: Divide between 4 bowls and serve.
What Vegetables To Add
For this we used onion, celery, carrot and kale, but you can literally use anything. Some recipes use (courgette) zucchini, potatoes or green beans. Other recipes use peas or even root vegetables. It is entirely up to you. As long as you have the pasta and bean base, use any vegetables you have in the kitchen or garden.
What To Serve With Pasta e Fagioli
This soup has pretty much everything you could want in it. It has pasta and bans and plenty of vegetables, so it is super filling and you don't really need anything else with it.
If you did want something on this side, then just serve this with a French baguette that has been warmed up in the oven, or with some croutons on top. Or both. You could even go all out and make your own bread. Why not try our Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia?
Extra Tips
- You can use any vegetables that you have.
- Add a bit of a spice kick by adding some chilli flakes when cooking.
- If you want to add some meat to this, add some chopped bacon, ground sausage or pancetta when cooking the vegetables.
- This is supposed to be quite "brothy". If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of water.
- Add a little extra depth of flavour to the broth by swapping 100ml of it for white wine.
- You can add some extra protein by adding half a can of drained green lentils.
- The beans can be swapped for chickpeas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference between pasta e fagioli and minestrone and is the variety of vegetables used in a minestrone. Fagioli is made up mostly of pasta and beans in a broth.
You really can use any pasta shapes in this soup. We prefer smaller pasta shapes, as they are easier to scoop up with a spoon, but there is no need to use anything fancy, as you can use up whatever you have.
You really can use any pasta shapes in this soup. We prefer smaller pasta shapes, as they are easier to scoop up with a spoon, but there is no need to use anything fancy, as you can use up whatever you have.
We haven't put meat in ours, as we think it's a nice vegetarian dish. However you could add ground beef, sausage or bacon at the same time as the onions and carrots.
You can store this in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 2 days, but because the pasta will continue to absorb the liquid, it will be thicker when reheated. But it will still be delicious. Reheat in the microwave or on the hob (stove top) for a few minutes, until heated through.
This soup freezes really well, making it great for batch cooking. It will keep for up to 3 months in an air tight container. Be sure not to fill the container to the top, as the liquid will expand to the top of the container.
Yes, this soup can be made in the slow cooker. Still follow step one in the recipe below to sweat the harder vegetables and then put everything in the slow cooker (except the pasta) and cook for 4 hours on high. 20 minutes before it is finished, stir in the pasta.
More Soup Recipes
If you’ve tried this paste e fagioli recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Pasta and Bean Soup)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Onion - diced
- 3 Garlic clove - crushed
- 1 Carrot - diced
- 2 Celery ribs - diced
- 240 g (8.5 oz) Cannellini beans
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Pasta shapes
- 1 litre (4 cups) Vegetable stock
- 400 g (14 oz) Chopped tomatoes - canned
- 240 g (3.5 cups) Kale - chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Put 1 tablespoon Olive oil into a large pan and add 1 Onion, 3 Garlic clove, 1 Carrot and 2 Celery ribs and gently sweat for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 litre Vegetable stock, 240 g Cannellini beans, 400 g Chopped tomatoes, 100 g Pasta shapes, 240 g Kale 1 tablespoon Dried oregano and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Divide between 4 bowls and serve.
Recipe Tips
- You can use any vegetables that you have.
- Add a bit of a spice kick by adding some chili flakes when cooking.
- If you want to add some meat to this, add some chopped bacon, ground sausage or pancetta when cooking the vegetables
- This is supposed to be quite "brothy". If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of water.
- Add a little extra depth of flavour to the broth by swapping 100ml of it for white wine.
- You can add some extra protein by adding half a can of drained green lentils.
- The beans can be swapped for chickpeas.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Heidi Roberts says
Frozen Kale!!! this sounds like something from heaven, hate it when the kale in the packet goes a bit off - now that won't happen - getting some this weekend, thanks for the tip!
Dannii says
Having Iceland frozen vegetables on hand makes it so much easier for us to eat more vegetables, and it cuts back on waste too. Win win!
Manila Spoon says
This is the perfect winter comfort food! It looks hearty and delicious!!!
Dannii says
It's definitely needed in weather like this.
Tori Gabriel says
This soup sounds lovely and is nice and simple too. I love Iceland! They are brilliant for Frozen stuff and we always round up our cost on our bonus card. At the end of the year there is enough to cover all out Christmas food!
Dannii says
That's awesome! An even happier Christmas when it is already paid for :)
Emma White says
oh my that looks totoally amazing I am so going to give this one a try
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it :)
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
Pasta e ravioli is a fab recipe! I could never ever get bored with this! Your addition of kale makes it quite interesting. I have never had it frozen and you are right, it is definitely a good idea to keep some in the freezer. So handy!
Dannii says
It really cuts back and waste too, which is so important to us.
Claire says
This soup sounds absolutely delicious and bursting with flavour, I'm going to enjoy this recipe :)
Dannii says
I do hope you enjoy it :D
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
I need to go to Iceland to get some of this frozen kale, it sounds so convenient and will be perfect alongside my go-to frozen spinach. Love this recipe, a hearty soup is perfect for the time of year.
Dannii says
Yes, definitely go and stock up on it! But leave some for me pleeeeeeeeeeeeaase!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Fresh, frozen..we eat kale almost everyday..well, my husband is forced to eat them :-))Your pasta soup looks so comforting and perfect for our cold rainy weather.
Dannii says
I sneak it in to my husband's dinner haha ;)
Angela says
I just had to come back to say thank you for mentioning the frozen kale on Iceland. I have just put an order in. I thought they just did things like those prawn rings, so this was a nice discovery.
Dannii says
You are very welcome. Iceland is really amazing for convenient frozen vegetables.
Annmarie says
Love pasta e fagioli! One of my favs!
Dannii says
It's a favourite in our house now too.
Ashley says
Ahhh pasta e fagioli has such a special place in my heart! I grew up eating it all the time. I keep meaning to try an all-veggie version - this looks fantastic!!
Beckie says
Love pasta and soup combos, looks gorgeous!
Dannii says
It's a delicious combo!
Papatia says
It looks healthy! Thank you for sharing! :)
Dannii says
It really is, and so tasty too!
marcie says
I love soups like this -- they're so hearty and make the perfect meal! I love adding kale to my soups!
Dannii says
The kale really makes this dish I think, and so handy that you can buy it frozen from Iceland.
Jasmin Charlotte says
Ohhh yes this looks so good! Can't beat white beans in a soup, I love them in anything recently!
Dannii says
The beans do make it really hearty.