Description
This Stanley Tucci inspired pasta fagioli is a hearty, budget-friendly Italian soup, perfect for a comforting family dinner on busy weeknights. It combines ditalini pasta, cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes, and a savory flavor base for a satisfying and easy-to-make meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 unit savory umami element (e.g., sun-dried tomatoes, mushroom paste, liquid smoke)
- 1 unit onion, finely chopped
- 1 unit carrots, finely chopped
- 1 unit celery, finely chopped
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 can cannellini beans, divided (reserve 0.5 cup for mashing)
- 1 unit chicken or vegetable broth (organic or low-sodium)
- 1 unit ditalini pasta (or small elbow pasta)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 unit Parmesan cheese, for serving (or plant-based alternative)
Instructions
- Prep Your Aromatics: Finely chop onion, carrots, and celery, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking and a smooth flavor base.
- Brown Savory Element: Sauté your chosen savory umami element (like chopped sun-dried tomatoes or mushroom paste) in a large pot with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until fragrant (8-10 minutes). Remove and set aside, leaving the flavored oil in the pot.
- Build the Flavor Base: Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the remaining oil until softened and fragrant (7-10 minutes), making sure they turn translucent and sweet.
- Simmer the Soup: Add crushed tomatoes, cannellini beans (reserving about 0.5 cup for mashing), and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer (20-25 minutes), allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken and Flavor: Mash the reserved beans with a fork and stir them back into the soup for a wonderfully creamy consistency and extra body (5 minutes).
- Cook the Pasta: Cook ditalini in a separate pot of salted water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain well.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked pasta to the soup just before serving. Garnish with the reserved savory umami element and fresh Parmesan.
Notes
To prevent pasta from getting mushy, cook it separately and add to individual bowls or the pot just before serving. If the soup becomes too thick, add a splash more broth or water to reach the desired consistency. For robust flavor, ensure aromatics are deeply softened and lightly caramelized before adding liquids. For a little warmth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the tomatoes. If the pasta absorbs too much liquid while sitting, splash in 1-2 Tbsp more broth before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (360 g)
- Calories: 380 calories
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg