Description
Pasta e fagioli — pasta and beans — is the Italian peasant soup that proves the best food in the world was invented by people who had almost nothing. Cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, tomato, pancetta, and a Parmesan rind that melts into the broth and makes everything richer. Delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 Parmesan rind (2-3 inches)
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pancetta in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until the fat renders and the pancetta is crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Add the beans, broth, Parmesan rind, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook 15 minutes to build flavor. Mash about a quarter of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the soup naturally.
- Add the ditalini and cook 8 to 10 minutes until the pasta is tender. The soup will thicken as the pasta cooks.
- Remove the Parmesan rind and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and top with grated Parmesan.
Notes
- The Parmesan rind is the secret weapon — it melts slowly into the broth and adds an umami richness that you cannot get any other way.
- Mashing some of the beans against the pot wall thickens the broth without adding cream or flour.
- Cook the pasta in the soup, not separately. The starch from the pasta helps create the signature thick, hearty texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 25