This Italian soup—which has as many variations as there are cooks—is chock full of pasta, beans, and vegetables, making it a hearty one-dish meal. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
YEILDS 16 CUPS; SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS
- 8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
- 3 medium red onions, finely chopped
- 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
- 2 quarts lower-salt chicken broth
- 2 15 1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 14 1/2-oz. can petite-cut diced tomatoes
- 4 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
- 3 medium stalks celery with leaves, thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 slender 3-inch cinnamon stick
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup tubettini (or other small pasta)
- 1 1/2 tsp. red-wine vinegar; more to taste
- Grated or shaved Parmigiano-reggiano, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a 6-quart (or larger) Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until partially crisp, about 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Add the onions to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits and stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add the garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth, chickpeas, tomatoes and their juices, carrots, celery, cinnamon stick, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 cup water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat; skim any foam as necessary.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots and celery are very tender, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the tubettini according to the package directions and drain.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and add the pasta. Stir in the bacon and vinegar. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more vinegar. Serve garnished with the Parmigiano-Reggiano.
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING:
- 370 CALORIES | 21G PROTEIN | 59G CARB | 7G TOTAL FAT | 1.5G SAT FAT | 2.5G MONO FAT | 2G POLY FAT | 5MG CHOL | 720MGSODIUM | 11G FIBER



