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Pasta Fagioli Soup: Cozy One-Pot Italian Comfort

Pasta Fagioli Soup

A thick Italian soup of small pasta, cannellini beans, and tomatoes in a savory broth, ready in under an hour in one pot.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices turkey bacon diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup ditalini pasta
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
  • Chopped fresh parsley for serving

Method
 

  1. Cook the turkey bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the diced turkey bacon until crisp and browned, about 5 minutes. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Soften the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent and the vegetables soften, about 6 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
  4. Stir in the savory swap: Add the soy sauce and rice vinegar, stirring to coat the vegetables; this stands in for Worcestershire sauce and adds savory depth to the broth.
  5. Add tomatoes and beans: Pour in the diced tomatoes and cannellini beans, then stir to combine everything in the pot.
  6. Pour in the broth: Add the beef broth and bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes so the flavors meld.
  7. Mash some beans: Use the back of a spoon to mash a few beans against the side of the pot, which thickens the broth naturally without adding cream.
  8. Cook the pasta: Stir in the ditalini pasta and simmer until just tender, about 9 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  9. Return the turkey bacon: Stir the cooked turkey bacon back into the pot and season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
  10. Rest before serving: Let the soup sit off the heat for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, then ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.