This soup is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorites! While it shares similarities with minestrone, I have a soft spot for fagioli because of its heartiness and rich flavor, thanks to the addition of meat and extra vegetables. The depth of taste it offers is truly unbeatable. To me, this soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozying up on cold evenings.
When serving this delectable dish, I always sprinkle some parmesan on top and pair it with a warm, crusty baguette sliced into perfect pieces. The experience of dunking the baguette into the soup is nothing short of fantastic, taking the flavors to a whole new level.
One of the most wonderful aspects of this recipe is how effortless it is to prepare. All you need to do is let it cook in the slow cooker all day long, and the magic unfolds. Adding the pasta and beans towards the end eliminates the need to cook them separately, saving time and effort without compromising on taste.
The best part, perhaps, is that this soup gets even better with time. When enjoyed as leftovers, the flavors continue to meld and intensify, creating a truly remarkable dining experience. So, you can savor this heartwarming soup today and relish its delightful taste even more tomorrow.
With its combination of convenience and comfort, this fagioli soup has earned a special place in my heart and my kitchen. It’s a meal that nourishes both body and soul, leaving you completely satisfied and looking forward to having it again. So, whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this soup is sure to please and become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage
2 whole carrots diced
4 celery stalks diced
1 medium onion diced
1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
3 (14.5 ounce can) beef broth
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 whole bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce can) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce can) red kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 cup ditalini pasta uncooked
1 Shaved parmesan – optional
Directions
Add olive oil to a large skillet and add the ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
Place the meat mixture in a slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients except for the beans, pasta, and parmesan.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 30 minutes before serving stir in beans and ditalini.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaves before serving.
Serve immediately while hot. Sprinkle parmesan on top if desired and serve with breadsticks or a crusty baguette for extra deliciousness!
Notes
• Refrigerate: Place the soup in an airtight container and put it in your fridge. It will last 3-4 days.
• Reheat: When you are ready to eat it again then put the soup in a medium sized pot and cook it on medium-high heat on your stove. It will take 5-10 minutes until it’s heated through.
• If you cannot find ditalini pasta, there are good substitutions. Tubettini, macaroni, orzo, conchigliette, and others. It just needs to be small sized.
• If you do not have beef broth, chicken broth will work well.
• The Italian sausage lends a distinct and delicious flavor to this soup. You can make the recipe with only ground beef if you like. The mixture of the beef and sausage is more authentic, but the beef alone is great as well! Turkey sausage also is a great substitution.
Conclusion:
The Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli is an irresistible and comforting soup that has become a cherished favorite. With its similarities to minestrone, yet boasting heartiness from meat and extra vegetables, this soup offers a delightful depth of flavor that warms both body and soul.
Serving it with a sprinkle of parmesan on top and a warm baguette for dunking elevates the dining experience to a whole new level of satisfaction. The slow cooker method makes it incredibly easy to prepare, as the flavors meld and develop all day, creating a dish that tastes even better as leftovers.
The versatility of this recipe, with the pasta and beans added towards the end, eliminates the need for separate cooking, saving time and effort without compromising on taste. It’s a meal that brings joy to cold evenings and comfort to all who savor it.
Whether served for a cozy family dinner or as a crowd-pleasing dish at gatherings, the Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli has proven to be a true winner. Its inviting aroma and delightful taste make it a go-to option that satisfies every palate.
So, embrace the convenience and heartiness of this delectable soup, and let it become a beloved part of your meal planning. Its ability to warm, nourish, and bring delight to every bite is a testament to its exceptional appeal. Enjoy the flavors and memories this soup creates, and treasure the moments shared with loved ones over a bowl of this heartwarming Pasta Fagioli.