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Hearty Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli (Better Than Restaurant Style)

A close-up of a steaming bowl of rich pasta fagioli soup, topped generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make this comforting Pasta Fagioli in your slow cooker. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a rich, savory Italian soup with tender pasta and beans that rivals your favorite restaurant version.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup small pasta, like ditalini
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Transfer the browned meat to your slow cooker.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water.
  5. Stir in the oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and kidney beans.
  8. Increase the heat to high if it is on low, and add the small pasta. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  9. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and use vegetable broth. You can add mushrooms for extra texture.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, mash about one cup of the beans against the side of the slow cooker before adding the remaining beans.
  • This soup freezes well. Cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummagnet.com/pasta-fagioli-slow-cooker-better-than-restaurant/