Pasta e Fagioli

I made this delicious soup one night last week for dinner (just haven’t had a chance to post it).   I’ve always loved pasta e fagioli but had never made it before.  I found this easy recipe from Giada and was surprised it was quick enough for a weeknight meal!

I followed the recipe and pureed 1 cup of the bean mixture.  The soup remained pretty “brothy” following these instructions.  If you want a thicker soup, just puree more of the bean mixture.

The herb sachet and the pancetta flavor the soup beautifully!

Serve the soup with crusty bread and parmesan cheese.  [PLEASE NOTE: I don’t think the soup photographed very well but Tim and I both really enjoyed it!]

Pasta e Fagioli
Giada de Laurentiis

• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 ounces pancetta, chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 5 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup elbow macaroni
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Wrap the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf in a piece of cheesecloth and secure closed with kitchen twine.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, pancetta, and garlic and saute until the onion is tender, about 3 minutes.

Add the broth, beans, and sachet of herbs. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to medium and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes.

Discard the sachet. Puree 1 cup of the bean mixture in a blender until smooth*.

Before putting the puree back into the soup, add the macaroni and boil with the lid on until it is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Return the puree to the remaining soup in the saucepan and stir well. Season the soup with ground black pepper and red pepper flakes.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with some Parmesan and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil just before serving.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.