Hearty & Easy Pasta Fagioli with Italian Sausage: A Comforting Family Favorite
This incredibly hearty and easy Pasta Fagioli with Italian Sausage is a true symphony of flavors, bringing together savory Italian sausage, tender vegetables, robust beans, and comforting pasta, all simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth. More than just a simple soup, it’s a budget-friendly, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that miraculously tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for enjoyable leftovers.
This comfort food recipe holds a special place in our family’s heart; we affectionately call it ‘Christmas soup.’ For as long as I can remember, my mom would prepare a massive pot of this delicious soup on Christmas Eve. It was our cherished tradition to gather around, bowls brimming with warmth, and play board games late into the evening. Those nights, filled with laughter, friendly competition, and the comforting aroma of Pasta Fagioli, are some of my fondest memories. It wasn’t just about the food; it was about the togetherness, the simple joys, and the start of our holiday celebrations.
Beyond the nostalgic memories, I absolutely adore Pasta Fagioli soup because it delivers an incredible depth of flavor with surprisingly little effort. The combination of classic soup ingredients — the aromatic trinity of onion, carrot, and celery (often called mirepoix), fresh garlic, and a rich tomato base — provides a perfect canvas to build upon. This homemade Pasta Fagioli truly captures the essence of rustic Italian comfort food, featuring beloved elements like al dente pasta, ripe tomatoes, and a generous sprinkle of cheese, all prepared right in your own kitchen. Forget the chain restaurant versions; this recipe brings authentic, hearty Italian goodness straight to your table.
The addition of savory Italian sausage and a duo of beans elevates this dish from a simple soup to a substantial, satisfying meal. The rich notes of the sausage mingle beautifully with the sweet tang of tomatoes, while the Italian seasoning and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes infuse the broth with an irresistible aroma and a subtle warmth. It’s truly a complete meal in a single bowl, offering a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates for a truly fulfilling dining experience.
This Italian soup recipe is wonderfully versatile, offering a delightful bridge between my lighter Tortellini Soup and the more adventurous Pepperoni Pizza Soups. While I personally find that mild Italian sausage lends the most exquisite and complex flavor to this dish, its flexibility is one of its greatest assets. You can easily adapt it to your preferences by substituting the Italian sausage with lean ground beef, ground turkey, or even a plant-based crumble for a vegetarian option. The key is to make it *your* soup, tailored to your taste and dietary needs. If using ground beef or turkey, consider adding a pinch of fennel seeds and extra Italian seasoning to mimic the classic sausage flavor.
Discover Your Next Favorite Hearty Soup!
- Instant Pot Beef Stew: A rich and tender stew perfect for chilly evenings.
- Hamburger Macaroni Soup: A family-friendly classic that’s easy and satisfying.
- 4 Ingredient Potato Soup: Amazingly simple yet incredibly comforting, perfect for quick meals.
Crafted with readily available ingredients and a straightforward stovetop method, this Easy Pasta Fagioli is a fantastic choice for both a fresh weeknight dinner and a delicious meal prep option. Its flavors meld and deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delightful and robust. It’s perfect for busy families, budget-conscious cooks, or anyone craving a warm, comforting bowl of homemade goodness that feeds both body and soul.
In my culinary book, no hearty soup is truly complete without a delightful companion of fresh, crusty bread. Pasta Fagioli shines even brighter when paired with a slice of warm, inviting bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that savory broth. Consider serving it alongside quick and easy Sundried Tomato and Parmesan Beer Bread, or classic Easy Pull Apart Garlic Rolls. For those feeling a bit more ambitious and craving an extraordinary treat, I highly recommend trying this absolutely divine Garlic Cheese Focaccia Bread! Be warned: once you experience its pillowy texture and garlicky, cheesy goodness, you’ll likely be hooked and want to make it again and again!
What Do I Need To Make Easy Pasta Fagioli with Sausage?
The beauty of this Pasta Fagioli lies in its simple yet powerful ingredient list. You’ll find most of these staples readily available in your pantry, making it an accessible and stress-free meal to prepare. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: Two tablespoons, divided, essential for browning the sausage and sautéing the vegetables.
- Mild Italian Sausage: One pound, providing rich, savory flavor. (See notes for substitutions like ground beef or turkey).
- Yellow Onion: One cup, chopped, forming the aromatic base of the soup.
- Carrots: One cup, diced, adding natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Celery: One cup, diced, contributing to the classic mirepoix flavor profile.
- Garlic: Three cloves, minced, for an unmistakable depth of flavor.
- Spaghetti or Marinara Sauce: One 24-ounce jar, the cornerstone of our tomato-based broth. Choose a good quality sauce for best results.
- Beef Broth: One quart, adding richness and liquid to the soup. Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter or vegetarian version (if omitting sausage).
- Diced Tomatoes: One 15-ounce can, enhancing the tomato flavor and adding texture.
- Italian Seasoning: One teaspoon, a blend of herbs that captures authentic Italian taste.
- Dried Basil: One teaspoon, complementing the tomato and herb flavors.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon, for a subtle warmth and a hint of spice. Adjust to your preference.
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, for general seasoning.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste, always adjust seasoning at the end.
- Dry Ditalini Pasta: One cup, small tube-shaped pasta perfect for soups. Other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells also work well.
- Dark Red Kidney Beans: One 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed, adding heartiness and protein.
- Great Northern Beans: One 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed, providing a creamy texture and more protein. Cannellini beans are also a great option here.
- Finely Shredded Romano or Parmesan Cheese: For serving, a crucial finishing touch that adds a salty, umami depth.
Step by Step Instructions for the Perfect Pasta Fagioli:
Creating this delicious Pasta Fagioli is a straightforward process, designed to bring maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps for a comforting meal everyone will love:
Step 1: In a large, sturdy stockpot, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your chosen Italian sausage, using a spoon or spatula to break it up into small crumbles as it browns. This step is crucial for developing deep, savory flavors. Once the sausage is thoroughly browned, carefully drain off any excess fat to prevent the soup from becoming greasy, then transfer the cooked sausage to a separate bowl and set it aside.
Step 2: Return the stockpot to the heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Introduce the chopped yellow onion, diced carrots, and diced celery – this trio, known as mirepoix, forms the aromatic backbone of countless delicious soups. Sauté these vegetables until the onions become translucent and the carrots and celery begin to soften, a process that typically takes about 5-6 minutes. Finally, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it, which can make it bitter.
Step 3: Now, bring the cooked sausage back into the pot, combining it with the softened vegetables. Pour in the spaghetti or marinara sauce, beef broth, and diced tomatoes. Season the mixture with Italian seasoning, dried basil, a touch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes. This simmering time allows the vegetables to become fully tender and all the incredible flavors to meld and deepen, creating a truly rich and harmonious broth.
Step 4: While your soup is simmering to perfection, prepare the ditalini pasta. Cook the pasta separately according to the package directions, aiming for an al dente finish. Cooking the pasta separately and adding it at the end prevents it from becoming overly mushy or absorbing too much of the precious broth, which can lead to a less desirable consistency later.
Step 5: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly and add it to the simmering soup along with both cans of drained and rinsed beans (dark red kidney beans and great northern beans). Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients. Allow the soup to cook for just a few more minutes to ensure the beans are heated through and the pasta is warmed. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can adjust by adding a little water or extra broth at this stage, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve the steaming, flavorful Pasta Fagioli generously ladled into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory goodness. Enjoy this hearty and comforting Italian classic!
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Easy Pasta Fagioli with Sausage
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 24 ounce jar spaghetti or marinara sauce
- 1 quart beef broth
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper –to taste
- 1 cup dry ditalini pasta
- 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese –to serve
Instructions
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In a large stock pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking up the sausage into crumbles as it browns. Once browned, drain off the fat and then set the meat aside.
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Add another tablespoon of oil to the pot and add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until the onions are translucent and the veggies begin to soften, about 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute longer until fragrant.
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Next, add the sausage back to the pan, along with the spaghetti sauce, beef broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and simmer until the veggies have softened and flavors have melded, approximately 15-20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, cook the ditalini pasta separately according to the package directions for an al dente finish.
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Drain the pasta and add it to the soup along with the drained and rinsed kidney and great northern beans. Allow the soup to cook a few minutes longer to heat through, thinning with water or extra broth if desired, and adjust seasoning to taste.
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Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top and enjoy!
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Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic family meal, a hearty weeknight dinner, or a comforting soup to warm you from the inside out, this Easy Pasta Fagioli with Italian Sausage is sure to become a beloved favorite in your home. Its rich flavors and satisfying textures make it a culinary embrace in every spoonful. Enjoy making new memories around your table with this delightful Italian classic!
