Hearty Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli
This rustic and satisfying Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli is a comforting Italian classic that showcases the flavors of fresh vegetables combined with nutritious beans and pasta. Made with a generous amount of garlic, aromatic herbs, and a rich tomato base, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare. Perfect for cooler months, it can be enjoyed as a wholesome meal any day of the week. Feel free to customize the herbs and spices based on your preferences, making it truly your own!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 (diced)
garlic
2-3 cloves (finely chopped)
celery
1 stalk (diced)
carrot
1 (peeled and diced)
dried basil
1 tablespoon (none)
dried oregano
2 teaspoons (none)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (none)
dried rosemary
3-5 dashes (none)
red pepper flakes
1 dash (to taste)
chopped whole tomatoes
1 1/2 cups (with juices)
vegetable stock or broth
3 cups (none)
cannellini beans
1 can (drained and rinsed)
tiny pasta
1 cup (any small pasta such as ditalini)
chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (or dried (optional))
freshly grated parmesan cheese
to taste (for serving)
salt
to taste (none)
fresh ground pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2
Add the diced onion along with a pinch of salt and pepper, cooking for about 2 minutes until translucent.
3
Sprinkle in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes, stirring well to coat the onion mixture to enhance the flavors.
4
Add the minced garlic, celery, and carrot to the pot, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.
5
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, along with their juices, and pour in the vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7
If the soup appears too thick, add an additional cup of vegetable stock or water; then, stir in the drained cannellini beans and tiny pasta.
8
Continue simmering for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender yet al dente.
9
Finish by stirring in the chopped parsley (if using) and serve hot, garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli?
It is a rustic and satisfying Italian classic soup made with fresh vegetables, nutritious beans, and pasta in a rich tomato base.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, it can be easily made vegan by omitting the parmesan cheese garnish or using a dairy-free alternative.
What type of pasta is best for this dish?
The recipe recommends using one cup of tiny pasta, such as ditalini or any other small pasta shape.
Which beans are used in this Pasta e Fagioli?
The recipe calls for one can of cannellini beans, which should be drained and rinsed before adding to the pot.
What vegetables do I need to prepare?
You will need one diced onion, one diced celery stalk, one peeled and diced carrot, and 2-3 finely chopped garlic cloves.
How much vegetable stock is required?
The recipe requires 3 cups of vegetable stock or broth, with an optional extra cup if the soup becomes too thick.
Which dried herbs provide the flavor?
The flavor base includes dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried rosemary.
How do I start the cooking process?
Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the diced onion with a pinch of salt and pepper for about 2 minutes until it becomes translucent.
When should I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic along with the celery and carrots after the onions and dried spices have been stirred together.
How long does the soup need to simmer before adding pasta?
After bringing the vegetable stock and tomatoes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
What should I do if the soup looks too thick?
If the soup appears too thick after simmering, stir in an additional cup of vegetable stock or water before adding the beans and pasta.
How long does the pasta take to cook in the soup?
The pasta and beans should simmer in the soup for an additional 6-8 minutes until the pasta is tender yet al dente.
What is the recommended garnish?
The dish is best served hot, garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of ground black pepper.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, the description mentions you can customize the herbs and spices based on your personal preferences.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 2 to 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic.
Is this recipe spicy?
It contains a dash of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, but you can adjust this to your taste.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use 1.5 cups of chopped whole tomatoes along with their juices.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, the entire dish is prepared in one large heavy pot, making it a convenient one-dish meal.
What is the first step after heating the oil?
The first step is adding the diced onion with salt and pepper to the hot oil.
When do I add the dried herbs?
Sprinkle in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes after the onions have cooked for 2 minutes.
Should the carrots be peeled?
Yes, the ingredients list specifies that the carrot should be peeled and diced.
Can I use dried parsley?
Yes, while fresh parsley is recommended, dried parsley is an acceptable optional substitute.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
What is the purpose of the 30-minute simmer?
The 30-minute simmer allows the flavors of the vegetables, herbs, and tomatoes to meld together properly.
What is the texture of the pasta when finished?
The pasta should be cooked until it is tender yet 'al dente,' meaning it still has a bit of firmness.
How much dried rosemary is used?
The recipe calls for 3-5 dashes of dried rosemary.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 18 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is salt added during cooking?
Yes, a pinch of salt is added to the onions initially, and more can be added to taste at the end.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While it can be made ahead, the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so you may need to add more broth when reheating.