Description
Pasta e fagioli is a traditional Italian soup that combines hearty cannellini beans and ditalini pasta in a flavorful, creamy broth made from sautéed vegetables, pancetta, and tomato concentrate. This comforting and rustic dish is perfect for a nourishing family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- ½ carrot
- ½ celery stalk
- ½ white onion
Other Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 50 g pancetta, finely chopped
- 700 g cooked cannellini beans
- 600 ml cooking water from the beans
- 1 tablespoon tomato concentrate
- 200 g Ditali rigati pasta (Pastificio Liguori)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the soffritto: Finely chop the carrot, celery, and white onion to create a battuto. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add the chopped pancetta and the battuto and gently sauté for about five minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften without browning.
- Add beans and tomato concentrate: Pour the cooked cannellini beans along with their cooking water into the pot. Stir in one tablespoon of tomato concentrate and season the mixture with salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Cook the pasta: Once boiling, add the ditalini pasta to the pot. Cook according to the pasta package instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The beans will naturally thicken the soup as the pasta cooks.
- Finish and serve: When the pasta is tender, remove the pot from the heat. The beans will have created a creamy texture without needing cheese. Serve the pasta e fagioli drizzled with a bit of raw extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- A classic battuto of carrot, celery, and onion forms the flavor base.
- Cannellini beans provide creaminess without the need for cheese.
- Tomato concentrate adds color and depth of flavor.
- Use a quality short pasta like ditali rigati for the authentic texture.
- The dish serves 4 people and is perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
