Hearty Olive Garden Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Pasta e Fagioli, an Italian classic meaning “pasta and beans,” is more than just a soup—it’s a warm embrace in a bowl. This incredibly satisfying and easy recipe is packed with flavorful ground beef, a rich medley of beans, tender vegetables, and a delightful touch of pasta, all simmered in a savory, herb-infused broth. If you’ve ever savored the iconic Pasta e Fagioli at Olive Garden, you’ll be thrilled to discover this copycat version, which promises all the robust flavor and comforting goodness right in your own kitchen. It’s the perfect dinner solution for any night of the week, especially when you’re craving something hearty and wholesome.
Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t it? Just recently, I’ve found myself in a new, unexpected phase: becoming a football fan! Who would have thought? For years, despite having four boys who all played the sport and even being a high school cheerleader myself, the intricacies of the game largely eluded me. My husband used to playfully tease me, reminding me that my understanding of football extended only to knowing what cheer to call based on whether it was offense or defense. He was genuinely shocked that my cheerleading squad was never required to deeply learn the game itself!
Eventually, my husband grew a bit weary of my constant questions: “What does that mean?” or “Why did they do that?” So, I decided it was time to genuinely pay attention. And guess what? I’ve actually started to really enjoy watching football! The game, once a mystery, now makes a lot more sense, even if there are still a few rules that baffle me. The experience of watching a thrilling game has become something I genuinely look forward to.
And what better way to enhance a good football game, or any cozy evening at home, than with a truly delicious and comforting meal? This is where a fantastic soup truly shines. Soups are, in my opinion, one of the best ways to bring together protein, vegetables, and incredible flavor into one harmonious bowl. They offer a complete, healthy meal that satisfies on multiple levels, making them a go-to for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. As a mom, I also find them to be excellent vehicles for sneaking in extra vegetables, ensuring my kids get their daily dose without even realizing it!
Mastering the Olive Garden Favorite at Home
You’ve likely experienced the allure of Olive Garden’s Pasta e Fagioli. It’s undeniably one of their most popular and beloved soups. The hearty blend of pasta, beans, and savory broth is simply irresistible. This particular Pasta e Fagioli recipe is a cherished copycat version, one I’ve been making for years from a trusted family cookbook. It captures the essence of the restaurant’s famous soup perfectly, delivering that familiar, comforting taste you crave, but with all the advantages of a homemade meal.
Opting to make this classic Italian soup at home comes with numerous benefits. Not only is it significantly more economical than dining out, but it also allows you to control the quality and quantity of every ingredient. You know exactly what’s going into your bowl, ensuring a healthier and more wholesome dish for your family. This recipe features a robust blend of red kidney and great northern beans, lean ground beef for a satisfying protein boost, fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, all brought together with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a thoughtful selection of Italian herbs.
The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a fantastic option even on hectic evenings. The aroma alone will fill your kitchen with inviting Italian scents, promising a meal that will satisfy even the biggest appetites. The combination of textures—tender pasta, creamy beans, and savory meat—creates a truly gratifying experience that perfectly satisfies those autumn and winter comfort food cravings. Your entire family will undoubtedly fall in love with this soup, asking for it again and again.
Tips for the Perfect Pasta e Fagioli
- Sautéing Aromatics: Don’t rush the initial step of softening the onion and sautéing the carrots, celery, and garlic. This foundational step builds a rich flavor base for the entire soup.
- Browning the Beef: Ensure your ground beef is thoroughly browned and any excess fat is drained. This prevents a greasy soup and enhances the savory depth.
- Bean Varieties: The recipe calls for red kidney and great northern beans, which contribute distinct textures and flavors. Feel free to experiment with cannellini beans or other white beans for a slightly different profile, or even add a third type for extra complexity.
- Herb Power: Dried oregano, basil, and thyme are essential for that classic Italian taste. If you have fresh herbs, use a larger quantity (approximately three times the amount of dried) for an even more vibrant flavor.
- Vinegar for Brightness: The tablespoon of white vinegar might seem small, but it’s crucial! It adds a touch of acidity that brightens all the flavors in the soup, preventing it from tasting flat. Don’t skip it!
- Pasta Perfection: Cooking the pasta separately to an al dente stage is key. Adding it directly to the soup pot too early can lead to mushy pasta and over-absorption of your delicious broth. Adding it at the end and simmering briefly ensures it’s perfectly cooked and maintains its texture. Small macaroni or ditalini are traditional choices, but any small pasta shape will work.
- Thickening the Soup: The soup will naturally thicken as it simmers due to the beans and tomatoes. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot or remove a cup of soup, blend it, and return it to the pot.
- Serving Suggestions: This soup is fantastic on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty Italian bread for dipping, a fresh green salad, or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
- Make Ahead and Storage: Pasta e Fagioli tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. If freezing, consider cooking and storing the pasta separately or adding fresh pasta when reheating to avoid mushiness.
Why This Recipe Will Become a Family Favorite
There’s a reason why certain dishes become beloved staples, and this Pasta e Fagioli is destined for that role in your home. Its combination of nourishing ingredients and incredible taste makes it a winner. It’s a complete meal in one bowl, offering a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates from the pasta and beans, and essential vitamins from the vegetables. This makes meal planning simple and ensures everyone at the table is getting a wholesome, satisfying dinner. Beyond its nutritional value, it’s the sheer comfort factor that truly sets it apart. The warm, aromatic broth, the tender bites of beef, and the soft pasta create a culinary experience that is both grounding and deeply enjoyable. It’s the kind of meal that brings families together around the dinner table, creating lasting memories. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to make a pot of this delightful Olive Garden copycat Pasta e Fagioli that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta & Beans Soup)
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 3 carrots sliced
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 15-oz can red kidney beans, undrained
- 1 15-oz can great northern beans, undrained
- 2 15-oz cans tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 lb. small macaroni or ditalini pasta
Instructions
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Soften onion in olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, breaking up meat until browned. Drain off any fat. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Sauté for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
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Add the remaining ingredients except the pasta and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened a bit.
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Cook pasta in a separate pot as directed on package, until al dente. Drain and add to the pot of soup. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
If you liked this soup recipe, you might like these too:
One Pot Easy Lasagna Soup
Thai Butternut Squash Soup
Easy Cauliflower Soup