Pasta Fagioli
White Beans, Vegetables and Sausage
Pasta and Beans is an Italian soup which is simple, hearty, and an inexpensive meal to prepare. There are many variations to this dish, but the ingredients for this recipe include tomatoes, celery, carrots, spinach, and Italian sweet sausage. Variations include using Italian hot sausage to spice it up or mix both the sweet and hot sausage together – either way the soup will be hearty and flavorful. You can use any small pasta like Ditalini, shells or elbows.
Ingredients:
1 lb Ditalini pasta
3- 32oz containers of chicken broth
2 -15oz cans cannellini beans
5-6 sweet Italian sausage links- sliced quarter round
1 bunch celery – cleaned and chopped
1 bunch carrots- cleaned and chopped
1 onion – diced
1 can diced tomatoes
5 ozs baby spinach
3 garlic cloves chopped
8 basil leaves cut in half
1 chicken bouillon cube
¼ cup white wine
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ cup grated reggiano parmigiano cheese
Extra virgin olive oil
Steps:
1. Boil water and cook the pasta.
2. When done, drain and set aside.
3. In a stockpot, cover the bottom of the pot with the EVO.
4. Add the chopped garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and red pepper.
5. Sauté till garlic is golden.
6. Add the sausage and brown.
7. Add the carrots and celery. Mix well and let vegetables soften
8. Add the 2 cans of beans – do not drain. Add the tomatoes.
9. Add the white wine, chicken broth, bouillon, and cheese.
10. Mix – add the pasta, spinach, and basil. Mix again. Taste and adjust seasonings.
11. Let simmer about 15-20 minutes – low heat.
12. Top with grated cheese and serve with garlic bread or hot Italian bread.
Dining and Cooking