Hearty Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli
Enjoy a bowl of this classic Italian-inspired dish that warms the soul! My Hearty Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli is a delightful and healthy twist on the restaurant favorite, packed with protein from beans and lean ground beef, and bursting with flavor from an aromatic blend of herbs and spices. This slow-cooked meal is effortlessly prepared in a Crock Pot, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over hours, giving you a comforting one-pot dish that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep. The addition of tender elbow macaroni at the end makes it hearty and satisfying without being overly heavy. Serve warm with crusty bread for a complete meal that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pam cooking spray
as needed (for sauteing)
minced onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
ground sirloin
1/2 lb (raw)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (canned)
beef broth
1 (14 ounce) can (canned)
water
3 cups (for cooking)
sliced carrot
1 cup (raw)
sliced celery
1 cup (raw)
red kidney beans
1 cup (canned, drained and rinsed)
navy beans or great northern beans
1 cup (canned, drained and rinsed)
oregano
2 teaspoons (dried)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (dried)
basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
thyme
1 teaspoon (dried)
red hot sauce
1 teaspoon (for flavor)
cooked elbow macaroni
4 ounces (cooled)
Instructions
1
In a nonstick frying pan set over medium heat, spray with Pam cooking spray once hot.
2
Add the minced onion and sauté for about 1 minute, until it becomes translucent.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Add the ground sirloin and sprinkle in the ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
5
In a large Crock Pot, combine the browned meat mixture with the diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, sliced carrots, sliced celery, red kidney beans, navy or great northern beans, oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, thyme, and red hot sauce.
6
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
7
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined.
8
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the cooled elbow macaroni to warm through.
9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli?
It is a classic Italian-inspired soup made with beans, lean ground beef, and a variety of aromatic herbs, slow-cooked for a rich flavor.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is a healthy twist on the restaurant favorite, featuring lean ground sirloin and protein-rich beans.
How long does it take to cook in a Crock Pot?
The soup should be cooked on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours until the vegetables are tender.
When should I add the pasta to the soup?
Stir in the cooked elbow macaroni about 15 minutes before serving to ensure it warms through without becoming mushy.
Do I need to cook the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, you should brown the ground sirloin in a frying pan with onion and garlic before transferring it to the Crock Pot.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one cup of red kidney beans and one cup of navy or great northern beans.
What kind of meat is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1/2 pound of raw ground sirloin.
Are the beans used canned or dried?
Canned beans are used; they should be drained and rinsed before being added to the mixture.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup contains sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced onion, and diced tomatoes.
What herbs and spices give the soup its flavor?
The flavor comes from a blend of oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, thyme, cumin, and red hot sauce.
How much water is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cups of water in addition to the beef broth.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of cooked and cooled elbow macaroni.
Is the garlic fresh or powdered?
The recipe uses one fresh minced garlic clove.
What size can of diced tomatoes is required?
You will need one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
Should the pasta be cooked before adding it?
Yes, the elbow macaroni should be previously cooked and cooled before being added at the end.
What can I serve with Pasta e Fagioli?
It is delicious when served warm with a side of crusty bread.
Is there any spice in this dish?
Yes, the recipe includes one teaspoon of red hot sauce for a hint of flavor and heat.
How much beef broth is used?
The recipe uses one 14-ounce can of beef broth.
Can I use cooking spray instead of oil?
Yes, the instructions suggest using Pam cooking spray to sauté the vegetables and brown the meat.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped minced onion.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to sauté minced onion in a nonstick frying pan until translucent.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is a hearty one-pot dish that is perfect for family dinners or preparing meals in advance.
How many types of seasoning are added to the beef while browning?
The beef is seasoned with ground cumin, salt, and pepper while it cooks in the pan.
What is the purpose of adding cumin to the beef?
Cumin is used as a specific seasoning to enhance the flavor profile of the ground sirloin.
Should I rinse the kidney beans?
Yes, canned red kidney beans should be both drained and rinsed before use.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper levels?
Yes, you should season to taste both during the browning process and before serving.
How much celery is in the recipe?
The recipe includes one cup of raw sliced celery.
How much carrot is in the recipe?
The recipe includes one cup of raw sliced carrots.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Does this recipe contain any sugar?
No, based on the provided ingredient list, there is no added sugar in this recipe.