Hearty Barefoot Contessa Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe

This soul-warming pasta fagioli soup transports you to sun-drenched Italian countryside kitchens with its rustic charm.

Generations of nonnas have lovingly stirred these ingredients into pure comfort.

Fragrant herbs and tender beans dance through this time-honored recipe.

Hearty legumes and delicate pasta intertwine, creating a symphony of flavors that whisper culinary tradition.

Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly, promising nourishment beyond mere sustenance.

Family connections simmer within each steaming spoonful.

Let this recipe become your portal to authentic Italian home cooking.

How to Store and Reheat Pasta Fagioli Soup

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking. Refrigerated soup stays delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining robust flavors and textures.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Carefully transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Frozen soup remains tasty for up to 3 months, providing convenient meal options during busy weeks.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add extra broth if the soup seems too thick after freezing.
• Pasta Preservation Tip: Keep pasta separate from soup when storing to prevent soggy noodles. Add fresh pasta when reheating for the best texture and flavor experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Inside Barefoot Contessa’s Pasta Fagioli Soup

• Ground Beef: Choose lean cuts for healthier flavor and less grease.
• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin for richer, more robust taste.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Look for firm, vibrant vegetables without soft spots.
• Garlic: Pick plump cloves with tight, unbroken skin for maximum pungency.

• Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium versions to control salt content.
• Tomato Sauce, Canned Tomatoes: Select San Marzano or fire-roasted for deeper complexity.
• Sugar: Helps balance tomato's acidity and round out flavors.

• Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram: Choose fresh or high-quality dried herbs for intense aromatics.
• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground for brightest seasoning.

• Ditalini Pasta: Select sturdy pasta that holds shape in soup.
• Kidney Beans, Great Northern Beans: Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.

• Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp leaves.
• Romano, Parmesan Cheese: Grate fresh for maximum flavor punch.

Tools to Make Pasta Fagioli the Ina Way

• Large Pot: Essential for building layers of flavor and simmering soup.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and scraping bottom of pot while cooking.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Colander: Helps drain excess fat from ground beef.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise for adding herbs and seasonings.
• Stove: Primary heat source for cooking soup components.
• Cheese Grater: Great for topping soup with fresh Romano or Parmesan.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving hot soup into bowls.

Cooking Steps for Barefoot Contessa’s Pasta Fagioli

Hearty Beef and Bean Soup

• Brown the Beef

Warm olive oil in a large pot and break ground beef into small pieces. Cook until completely done, removing any extra grease. Set beef aside for later.

• Create Flavor Foundation

Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft and fragrant. Add garlic and cook briefly to release its rich aroma. The vegetables will develop a delicious base for the soup.

• Build Soup Layers

Return beef to the pot and introduce broth, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Allow everything to blend together by simmering gently. The herbs will infuse deep, comforting flavors throughout the liquid.

• Add Protein and Texture

Stir in kidney and white beans along with perfectly cooked pasta. These ingredients transform the soup from simple to substantial, creating a hearty meal that warms from the inside out.

• Finish and Serve

Let the soup simmer for a few final minutes to marry all the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of cheese. Ladle into deep bowls and enjoy a meal that feels like a warm hug.

Tips to Elevate Ina’s Pasta Fagioli Recipe

• Boost Flavor Impact: Enhance the soup's depth by browning ground beef until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior, creating more intense flavor layers.
• Customize Bean Selection: Experiment with different bean varieties like cannellini, pinto, or black beans to add unique textures and personalize the recipe to your taste preferences.
• Perfect Pasta Timing: Cook pasta separately and add just before serving to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal pasta texture, keeping it firm and preventing mushiness in the soup.
• Meal Prep Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving slight room for expansion, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a quick, delicious meal.

Serving Pasta Fagioli Soup by Barefoot Contessa

• Serve with Warm Crusty Bread: Slice a rustic baguette or sourdough and lightly toast it. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly complement the hearty soup, helping soak up all those delicious flavors.
• Pair with Fresh Green Salad: Toss together crisp mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. The salad's brightness cuts through the soup's richness, creating a balanced meal that feels both comforting and refreshing.
• Garnish with Extra Cheese: Sprinkle additional grated Romano or Parmesan cheese directly at the table. Let diners customize their bowl, adding an extra layer of salty, tangy goodness that elevates the entire dish.
• Create a Cozy Dinner Setting: Serve the soup in deep, wide bowls that showcase its hearty ingredients. Add a small side of additional parsley or herbs for a pop of color and extra freshness.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pasta fagioli soup blends rustic Italian comfort with hearty ingredients. Warm cannellini beans, pancetta, and vegetables create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with crusty bread and pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 2 14.5 oz (411 g) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 (8 oz/226 g) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups (225 g) chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup (150 g) diced carrots (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup (150 g) diced celery (about 3 stalks)
• 1 cup (240 g) dry ditalini pasta
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tbsp)
• 2 tbsps olive oil, divided
• 3 tbsps minced fresh parsley
• 2 tsps granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsps dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¾ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried marjoram
• ½ cup (120 ml) water, then more as desired
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, crumbling and cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess fat and set meat aside.
2. Vegetable Sauté: In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook briefly, releasing aromatic flavors without burning.
3. Liquid Foundation: Combine chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, canned tomatoes, sugar, and dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram). Reintroduce cooked beef and season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer and Develop: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender.
5. Pasta and Bean Integration: Cook ditalini pasta separately until al dente. Add pasta, kidney beans, and great northern beans to the soup, adjusting liquid consistency with additional broth if needed.
6. Final Touches: Simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to harmonize flavors and warm beans. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated Romano or Parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Notes

• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a greasy soup texture and maintain a clean, robust flavor profile.
• Vegetable Sauté Technique: Cook vegetables until slightly translucent to develop deeper, sweeter undertones and enhance overall soup complexity.
• Pasta Cooking Tip: Prepare ditalini just shy of fully cooked (al dente) to prevent mushiness when added to hot soup, ensuring perfect pasta texture.
• Bean Addition Strategy: Add beans last and simmer briefly to preserve their integrity and prevent breaking down while allowing flavor integration.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg