Simple is the order of the day with this delicious Pasta Fagioli recipe, a classic family favourite. Plenty of flavour is packed into this budget-friendly, vegetarian-friendly meal that feeds a crowd easily and comes together in one pot.
Feel free to adjust the amount of pasta, basil and Parmesan to suit your family’s taste. If you add extra pasta, you may need a little more stock to keep the consistency right.
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Pasta Fagioli Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 litre chicken stock
- 400g tinned tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 x 400g can cannellini or kidney beans, rinsed well and drained
- 150g macaroni pasta
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan over a moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook the garlic, stirring, for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Stir in the stock, tinned tomatoes, dried oregano and dried basil, and bring to the boil, breaking up the tomatoes with a fork as you go.
3. Add the beans, pasta, 2 tablespoons of the fresh basil and the Parmesan. Boil, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving – the pasta will keep absorbing liquid as it sits.
4. Stir in the remaining basil and season to taste. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and serve immediately.
This is exactly the kind of meal that’s forgiving on a busy weeknight – it uses store-cupboard staples, comes together in one pot, and leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes – simply swap the chicken stock for a good vegetable stock. Everything else in the recipe is already vegetarian.
What pasta shapes work best in Pasta Fagioli?
Small, sturdy shapes work well here – macaroni, ditalini, small shells or broken spaghetti all hold up nicely in the broth. Avoid very delicate pasta shapes, as they can turn mushy while standing.
Can I use a different type of bean?
Cannellini beans and kidney beans both work well and hold their shape nicely. Butter beans or borlotti beans are also good substitutes if that’s what you have in the cupboard.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Pasta dishes like this can be frozen, though the pasta may soften a little further on reheating. For the best texture, some families prefer to freeze the soup base without the pasta and stir in freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Is this a good recipe for feeding a crowd?
Yes – it’s easy to double, it’s budget-friendly, and it holds well on the stove if you need to keep it warm before serving.
More Family Favourites
If you enjoyed this Pasta Fagioli recipe, you might also like our other quick and comforting family dinner ideas, including tuna pasta casserole and creamy Cajun chicken pasta – both easy weeknight options the whole family can enjoy.
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