Pasta e Fagioli

About

Brenda Gantt

I am a self-taught cook. I started cooking around 18 years old. I stood in the kitchen and watched my mother, who was my biggest inspiration at the time, cook.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Add the onions to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits and stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. 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.
  5. Bring to a boil over high heat; skim any foam as necessary.
  6. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots and celery are very tender, about 30 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, cook the tubettini according to the package directions and drain.
  8. 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

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