Hearty Homemade Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli Recipe

When comfort meets convenience, this hearty Olive Garden slow cooker pasta fagioli recipe emerges as a delightful culinary solution for busy weeknights.

Rich, aromatic flavors dance through every spoonful of this classic Italian-inspired soup.

Tender beans, savory ground beef, and perfectly cooked pasta create a symphony of textures that warm you from the inside out.

Each ingredient tells a story of rustic charm and home-style cooking.

The slow cooker works its magic, melding together robust seasonings and fresh vegetables into a soul-satisfying meal.

This recipe captures the essence of Olive Garden beloved soup, bringing restaurant-quality taste directly to your kitchen.

Dive into this comforting bowl and let the flavors transport you to an Italian trattoria.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours

Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli Ingredients You’ll Crave

• Ground Beef: Adds rich, hearty flavor and substantial protein to create a filling meal foundation.
• Kidney Beans: Provides creamy texture and additional protein with earthy undertones.
• White Beans: Enhances protein content and creates a smooth, comforting base.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic flavor trinity that builds deep, robust soup foundation with subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings bright, tangy liquid base with natural acidity to balance the soup.

• Beef Broth: Creates rich, savory liquid foundation with intense meaty depth.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds complex tomato flavor and herbal undertones.
• Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herb profile with warm, slightly peppery notes.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: Optional ingredient for adding subtle heat and vibrant kick.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall flavor profile.

• Dry Pasta: Provides hearty texture and satisfying carbohydrate element.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright, clean garnish and visual appeal.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty finish with creamy texture.

What You’ll Need to Recreate Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli at Home

• Slow Cooker: 6-7 quart size, essential for mixing and cooking all ingredients.
• Skillet: Medium-sized, perfect for browning ground beef thoroughly.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables cleanly.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients in slow cooker.
• Colander: Needed for draining pasta and removing excess beef fat.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup evenly into individual bowls.

Slow Cooker Steps for Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Goodness

Hearty Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli

• Meat Foundation Sizzle the ground beef in a skillet until it turns a rich brown color. Drain away any extra fat and transfer the meat into your slow cooker.
• Vegetable Harmony Finely chop onions, carrots, and celery into tiny pieces. Scatter these colorful vegetables into the slow cooker with the browned meat.
• Liquid Magic Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, white beans, beef broth, and marinara sauce. Sprinkle oregano, a dash of hot pepper sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything until well combined.
• Slow Cooking Comfort Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer on LOW for 5-7 hours. This allows the flavors to dance together and the vegetables to become wonderfully tender.
• Pasta Finale Cook pasta separately according to package instructions. Gently fold the cooked pasta into the soup just before serving. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of deliciousness.

Flavor Hacks for Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli

• Meat Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. Lean proteins work wonderfully and keep the dish lighter.
• Veggie Boost: Add zucchini or spinach for extra nutrition and color. Chop vegetables finely to blend seamlessly into the soup's texture.
• Spice Control: Adjust hot pepper sauce based on heat preference. Start with a few drops and increase gradually to suit your family's taste buds.
• Bean Flexibility: Experiment with different bean varieties like cannellini or pinto beans. Canned or dried beans both work perfectly in this hearty recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat slowly for best results. The flavors actually improve after a day in the refrigerator, making it an ideal meal prep option.

Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Serving Made Simple

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty pasta fagioli in deep ceramic bowls to capture all the delicious broth and ingredients, creating a warm and inviting meal experience.
• Bread Pairing Perfection: Accompany the soup with crusty Italian bread or garlic breadsticks for dipping, which helps soak up the rich, flavorful broth and adds a delightful crunch.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving, allowing it to slightly melt and enhance the soup's overall flavor profile with a nutty, salty touch.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves to add a bright, green pop of color and a burst of fresh herbaceous flavor that complements the hearty ingredients.

Store Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli for Later Comfort

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the recipe and divide into meal-prep containers for quick weeknight dinners throughout the week.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving a small space at the top to allow for expansion when freezing.
• Pasta Protection Trick: Keep pasta separate from the soup when storing to prevent soggy noodles. Store cooked pasta in a separate container and add fresh when reheating.
• Refrigerator Revival: Safely store leftover soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain consistent temperature and texture.

Hearty Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s slow cooker pasta fagioli brings hearty Italian comfort to home kitchens. Rich with ground beef, beans, and vegetables, this soup delivers classic restaurant flavors in an easy one-pot meal you can savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (browned and drained)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14–16 oz / 397–454 g, with juice)
• 1 can kidney beans (14–15 oz / 397–425 g, rinsed and drained)
• 1 can white beans (14–15 oz / 397–425 g, rinsed and drained)
• 1 jar tomato-basil marinara sauce (24–26 oz / 680–737 g)
• 1 ¼ cups dry pasta (fusilli, shells, or ditalini, cooked separately)
• 1 ½ tsps oregano
• ¾ tsp hot pepper sauce (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• grated Parmesan (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, eliminating excess fat, then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Vegetable Integration: Precisely chop onions, carrots, and celery, incorporating them into the slow cooker with the seasoned meat.
3. Liquid and Seasoning Fusion: Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, white beans, beef broth, and marinara sauce. Enhance with oregano, hot pepper sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to marry flavors.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and simmer on LOW for 5-7 hours, allowing vegetables to tenderize and ingredients to develop a rich, cohesive profile.
5. Pasta and Final Assembly: Cook pasta separately according to package instructions. Drain and gently fold into the soup. Adjust seasonings to taste, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
6. Serving Presentation: Ladle the robust soup into bowls. Optionally, crown with fresh parsley and a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while steaming hot.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Browning: Thoroughly brown ground beef to develop deep, rich flavors and eliminate excess grease for a more robust taste profile.
• Vegetable Prep Precision: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the slow cooker soup.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Allow extended cooking time to develop complex flavors and tenderize ingredients, with low and slow being the key to a perfectly melded dish.
• Pasta Timing Trick: Add pasta near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture, ensuring pasta remains perfectly al dente.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg