Description
Hearty pasta fagioli emerges as a comforting Italian classic that blends rustic beans and pasta into a nourishing meal. Warm spices and rich broth create a satisfying experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 jar (25 oz/709 g) spaghetti sauce
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 container (26 oz/737 g) beef stock (or 3 cups)
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup ditalini pasta or your favorite pasta shape
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- 2 tsps dried parsley
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, methodically breaking apart until achieving a rich, caramelized brown color, then drain excess fat in a colander.
- Vegetable Foundation: Layer chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the slow cooker, creating a robust aromatic base for the soup.
- Liquid and Legume Integration: Pour diced tomatoes, kidney and cannellini beans, beef stock, and spaghetti sauce into the slow cooker, blending with dried oregano, parsley, black pepper, and salt.
- Slow Cooking Process: Configure slow cooker to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop a complex, rich profile.
- Pasta Incorporation: During the final 30 minutes, add uncooked pasta directly into the simmering liquid, enabling it to absorb surrounding flavors and reach perfect tenderness.
- Final Presentation: Remove from heat once pasta is fully cooked, serving the hearty soup steaming hot, ready to provide ultimate comfort and culinary satisfaction.
Notes
- Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess beef fat completely to prevent a greasy soup and ensure a lighter, more refined dish.
- Bean Texture Matters: Rinse canned beans before adding to maintain distinct bean texture and reduce excess sodium for a cleaner taste profile.
- Pasta Adding Timing: Add pasta only in the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture, preventing mushy pasta.
- Slow Cooker Magic: Low and slow cooking develops deeper, richer flavors, allowing ingredients to meld and create a more complex and satisfying soup experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg