Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Bean Soup)
Sep 06, 2022, Updated Oct 05, 2024
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This Authentic Italian Pasta e Fagioli Recipe (soup) is a warm and satisfying soup that will feed your soul and tummy! A classic soup made with- small pasta, beans (fagioli), pancetta, and simple veggies in a delicious broth, making this soup the perfect comfort meal.
If you love authentic Italian recipes, check out my Lasagna Bolognese, Neopletan Pizza Dough, and Traditional Tiramisu.
Authentic Italian Pasta e Fagioli Recipe (sometimes called pasta fazool) is a classic Italian soup that’s perfect for getting into the autumn or fall season spirit! In Italy we call it a “peasant dish” this is our traditional Italian pasta Fagioli recipe that we’ve made for years.
Tender white beans, wholesome pasta, a medley of fragrant diced veggies, and a flavorful tomato broth make this delicious bean soup is a classic comfort meal for the cold weather time of year.
Fill up your soup bowls and prepare a meal the whole family will love.
More Italian soups you’ll love: Italian Pastina Soup Recipe, Classic Italian Minestrone Soup, Italian Wedding Soup Recipe, Tomato Soup Recipe, Italian Beans and Greens Recipe, Pasta e Ceci, Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup, Avgolemono Soup, and Zuppa Toscana.
Simple Ingredients
The best part is that you likely have all these ingredients as pantry items and refrigerator staples!
- Italian Beans Borlotti (or Roman beans also use- kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans)
- Pasta (small pasta shape)
- Pancetta (or bacon)
- Canned tomatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Rosemary
- Garlic cloves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Parmigiano Reggiano or grated parmesan cheese for topping
See the recipe card for quantities and the full recipe.
How To Make Pasta e Fagioli
Italian cooking is simple and humble. The steps are easy, and the fresh ingredients shine.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta, bacon, onions, carrots, celery, and rosemary. Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and starting to brown, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add half the drained and rinsed beans, crushed tomatoes, and chicken stock.
Use a small blender to puree the other half of the beans and add them back to the pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, and add the pasta and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer, covered, until pasta is cooked al dente (about 10 minutes).
Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil—season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, serve with freshly grated parmigiano cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
FAQ’s
Pasta e Fagioli – pronounced “pasta e fah-dgioh-lee – is a traditional Italian soup made of pasta (pasta) and beans (fagioli). It is sometimes called pasta fazool (or fasul) in the US, derived from its Neapolitan name pasta e fasule.
Minestrone Soup and Pasta e Fagioli are two similar Italian soups. The main difference is in the vegetables. While minestrone soup features a wide variety of vegetables, pasta e fagioli emphasizes pasta and beans. The latter is usually thicker and more stew-like than minestrone. Minestrone soup does not always have pasta, while authentic Italian pasta e fagioli recipe does.
Yes! Pasta e fagioli is an authentic Italian soup. Pasta e fagioli, is an Italian bean soup traditionally considered a peasant dish due to its humble list of ingredients—cannelloni beans, Italian soffritto, stewed tomatoes, short pasta, olive oil, and sometimes garlic.
For this pasta e Fagioli soup, I highly recommend short kinds of pasta or small pasta shapes and varieties for this soup. Here is a helpful guide to help match your pasta and sauce.
This dish is rustic, hearty, inexpensive, and good for a cold fall evening. Names of pasta options for Pasta e Fagioli Soup recipe:
Ditalini Pasta, Small Shells, Small pasta tubes, Macaroni Shells (elbows)
This authentic Italian pasta e Fagioli recipe is traditionally made with Borlotti beans.
In Italy, you buy pre-made packages with this soup mix. The kits included dry pasta, spices, and dried Borlotti beans, known as cranberry beans or Roman beans here in the US.
Borlotti, Roman beans, or Cranberry beans, are creamy and tender, with a chestnut-like flavor, making them the perfect addition to this soup!
You can also use these bean varieties:
Pinto beans, Cannellini beans, Great Northern Beans, White kidney beans
Yes, you can! It sure makes it easier :). Cooking your beans tastes better and is usually more wholesome that way. If you prefer the convenience of just opening a can, do that!
In this recipe, I used canned Italian beans to make it easier, quicker, and more accessible to those that have less time. When I have more time- I like to use dried beans.
Rinse and pick over half a pound of dried beans of choice, and soak them overnight (a minimum of 8 hours) before using.
When it’s time to cook, drain the beans and, rinse, and proceed with the recipe as written.
Note: It will take a bit longer for the soaked beans to become tender, and you may need to add a little water if they absorb too much. Plan on cooking the dried beans between 20 and 30 minutes at a minimum.
What makes this Recipe Authentic
This simple and authentic pasta e Fagioli recipe is one that my nonna prepared often with basic ingredients she had on hand. I still remember her stirring it with her wooden spoon. It was a meal prepared at home for our family and not one she made for guests. Similar to Authentic Pasta Carbonara Recipe.
Nowadays, however, this hearty soup is widely popular and can be seen on restaurant menus all over Italy. It is mainly enjoyed in the colder months and popular in northern and southern Italy.
If you like pasta and bean soups, you may also like Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta with Chickpea Soup) and Stovetop White Chicken Chili.
Variations
You can try the authentic Italian pasta e fagioli recipe the first time and always try a variation the next time you make it!
- Spicy – add red pepper flakes to level up the heat in the soup.
- Deluxe – add cooked Italian sausage to up the protein.
- Garnish – add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley before serving. cook with a bay leaf to add an aromatic note to the bean soup
- Cheese – feel free to sprinkle pecorino romano cheese instead of, or in combination with, the parmigiano cheese.
- To make the vegetarian version: omit the pancetta/bacon and use vegetable stock or water instead of chicken broth! Easy. You won’t get the extra flavor from the smoked meat, but you could substitute a drop of liquid smoke to add that taste.
- For a vegan version, use vegetable stock or vegetable broth and omit the parmesan cheese for the topping.
- For both options: make sure you compensate for the omission of pancetta and chicken stock by using a little bit more salt.
- This heart soup recipe is filling just as a bean soup without the meat!
Suggested Tools
I love to use a large enamel braising pot for pasta e Fagioli soup. I also use this pot for my Trottole Pasta Recipe with Tomato Sauce and Shrimp recipe.
You can also use a large stock pot if you are doubling this recipe.
I love to use a small blender like my Magic Bullet to quickly puree the beans for the bean mixture in this Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe.
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Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator
Pasta e fagioli soup is even better the next day! The soup will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
Freezing
Pasta e Fagioli makes a freezer-friendly recipe- except for the pasta! Pasta doesn’t freeze well and gets mushy when thawed and reheated. Yuck.
If you must freeze, do it before adding the pasta. Then, add the cooked pasta directly to the reheated soup and serve!
Reheating
The pasta will absorb the liquid as it sits, so when you are ready to reheat, add broth or water. Gently warm over medium-low heat, adding the liquid until the soup is warm and back to its original consistency.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Pasta e Fagioli soup is one of those hearty soups that already contains all you would want in a meal: meat (pancetta), veggies, beans, and pasta.
However, some ciabatta bread is a must so that you can soak up all the delicious broth! You can serve Best Italian Zucchini Fritters (easy recipe), or Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Mozzarella and Tomato Basil as appetizers if you desire!
Top tip
- Take time to blend a cup of the beans to thicken the broth. It’s a little extra step that goes a long way for the beans and pasta soup recipe. It adds a delicious taste, and it is what we do in Italy!
More Italian Soup Recipes
- No Potato Leek Soup Recipe (Creamy and Easy)
- Hearty White Bean Soup
- Italian Pastina Soup Recipe (with Chicken broth)
- Hearty and Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe
- Classic Lobster Bisque Recipe (Easy)
- BEST Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe with Bacon, Potato, and Kale
- Italian Sausage Soup
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Pasta e Fagioli Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This Authentic Italian Pasta e Fagioli Recipe (soup) is a warm and satisfying soup that will feed your soul and tummy! A classic soup made with- small pasta, beans, pancetta and simple veggies in a delicious broth, making this soup the perfect comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 6 oz. pancetta diced (or bacon, see notes for vegetarian option)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, petite diced
- 2 ribs celery, petite diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1– 15 oz. canned crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken stock/broth (or beef or vegetable broth, or water, or a combination)
- 2 cans (30 oz) Italian Beans Borlotti (also known as Roman/Cranberry beans. You can also use- kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans)
- 8 oz. small pasta such as shells, ditalini, or macaroni
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmigiano regiano or parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta or bacon, onions, carrots, celery, and rosemary. Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and starting to brown, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add HALF of the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes, and the chicken stock.
- Use a blender to puree the other half of the beans and add them back to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, and add the rest of the beans and the pasta, as well as the 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer, covered, until pasta is cooked al dente (about 10-12 minutes).
- Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with freshly grated parmigiano cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if desired.
Notes
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator: The soup will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, if stored in an airtight container. Bonus: this soup is even better the next day!
Freezing: Pasta e fagioli makes a freezer-friendly recipe except for the pasta. Pasta doesn’t freeze well and gets mushy when thawed and reheated. Yuck. If you must freeze, do it before adding the pasta. Then, add the cooked pasta directly to the reheated soup and serve!
Reheating: The pasta will absorb the liquid as it sits, so when you are ready to reheat, make sure to add extra broth or extra water. Gently warm over medium-low heat, adding the liquid until the soup is warm and back to its original consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Great recipe. I made it several times. We love it.
So happy you love this classic recipe. It’s a yummy favorite in our house as well.
I’ve used this recipe several times now. It reheats wonderfully and is SUPER tasty. I recommend using a can of crushed fire roasted tomatoes if you can (it’s a bit more pricey but the flavor payout is worth it). Such a wonderful recipe.
Love your addition of the fire roasted tomatoes. YUM!
my go to pasta fazool recipe!! I made it today and it’s 90° here today!! its so delicious and satisfying and tastes even better a day or 2 later..lots of cheese on top and some crusty bread, Perfect!!
Thrilled you love this family recipe. Yes, better as leftovers- yum!
Delicious – was a hit with the family!
It’s a family staple!
Delicious and easy to make.
Happy you enjoyed this classic!
This is a banger recipe! Easy, 1 pot and DELICIOUS! My entire Italian family loved it and it will be a repeat meal for sure! Thank you for sharing this deliciousness with us 🫶🏼
Yes! Easy and tasty. I’m happy it was a hit with the family!
This recipe for Pasta e Fagioli was delizioso. My MIL, who is from Sicily, said this was one of the best bowls of pasta e fagioli she has had.
We agree it tasted even better the next day-as if that was possible.
Grazie Elena for sharing your family history through the wonderful stories & recipes you have shared. 💖
I love your connection to this recipe. Happy you loved it!
Love this soup!! Everyone that I’ve shared it with loves it too!
Yay! It is a yummy classic. Thank you for sharing the recipe with others 🙂
I am excited to try this recipe, but am confused on the bean part. The directions indicate to “Add HALF of the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes, and the chicken stock” then “Use a blender to puree the OTHER HALF of the beans and add them back to the pot.” But then you bring the mixture to a boil, turn down the heat, and “add the rest of the beans;” but there wouldn’t be any left to add based on the prior directions. Can you clarify at which point to add the pureed beans back? Thanks!
Yes! I added that twice! You can add the blended beans back to the pot as in the first direction.
Great, thank you! I will be attempting this recipe tomorrow (I don’t cook often, but no one has died when I HAVE, so I’m optimistic I can pull this off)!
Loved this soup. Instead of pancetta or bacon I added browned ground turkey and Italian sausage. Also added diced zucchini and spinach at the end.
Yummy! I love your additions. Happy it was a hit.