Grandma Karen's
Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta and Bean soup is another Italian rustic classic, at least among Italians!

About this recipe

My first experience with Pasta e Fagioli occurred long after I had left my childhood home, and it was not a particularly memorable event.  Thanks to Grandma Karen, however, this is now one of my favorites.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons onion, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons carrots, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons celery, chopped
  • ½ pound pancetta
  • 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup dried cranberry beans, soaked overnight
  • 3 cups Beef Stock
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ pound Digitali
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated

Directions

  1. Drain the water from the soaked cranberry beans.  Add fresh water to cover the beans with 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 45 minutes.
  2. Sauté the onion in olive oil over medium heat until the onion becomes a pale golden color.
  3. Add the carrot and celery, stirring once or twice to coat.  Then add the pancetta.  Cook for about 10 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
  5. Drain the cooked cranberry beans and add them to the tomatoes and vegetables.  Cook for an additional 5 minutes, add the broth, and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
  6. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil.  If needed, add more broth to cook the pasta.  Add the pasta and cook until tender.
  7. Just before serving, add the butter and grated cheese.

Pasta e Fagioli.

Notes

  • Pancetta is sometimes called Italian bacon.  It is pork belly, but it is not smoked and it is highly seasoned.  Bacon is not an acceptable substitute unless it is unsmoked bacon.
  • Commercial beef stock can certainly be used in this recipe.
  • Dried cranberry beans are available online at Amazon.com, but almost any dried or canned bean can be used as a substitute.  Cannellini and kidney beans are two popular alternatives.  
  • Digitali is a small tubular shaped pasta.  Any small bean sized pasta can be used as a substitute.
Posted: August 2014.