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This hearty, slow-cooked version is inspired by the beloved Pasta Fagioli from Olive Garden. This dish features a mouthwatering tomato-basil broth that beautifully simmers together a hearty blend of ground beef, beans, vibrant vegetables, and tender pasta. It’s a comforting bowl of goodness that warms the soul! This Italian-American soup is the ultimate comfort dish, perfect for any day of the week!
Finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and pair it with crusty bread, perfect for soaking up every last delicious drop!
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
- This delightful slow cooker recipe brings the flavors of Olive Garden right to your kitchen, turning pasta fagioli into a warm and comforting Italian soup that’s perfect for any occasion.
- The tender ground beef mingles beautifully with hearty beans and pasta, all swimming in a rich tomato-basil broth that truly embodies comfort food at its finest.
- This dish is perfect for those hectic weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting, home-cooked meal that practically prepares itself.
- Pair it with some crusty bread or a vibrant fresh salad to elevate your dining experience to restaurant-quality right in your own kitchen!
Essential Components
- Extra lean ground beef creates a wonderfully rich and savory base for the soup, ensuring that every spoonful is packed with flavor and free from any greasy residue.
- The delightful trio of onion, carrots, and celery brings a symphony of flavor, texture, and depth to the soup, elevating it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
- Rinsed and drained, these protein-packed kidney and white beans bring a delightful creaminess and satisfying heartiness to the dish, making it a wholesome choice for any meal.
- Beef broth: the rich, savory foundation that elevates this soup to a whole new level of deliciousness. Opt for low-sodium beef broth to keep the salt levels in check.
- Tomato-Basil Marinara Sauce: A delightful blend of convenience and flavor, this ready-made sauce infuses your soup with vibrant tomato and aromatic basil notes.
- When it comes to dry pasta, options like ditalini, shells, or fusilli are simply perfect for soaking up all those delicious soup flavors! Cooking pasta separately is the secret to achieving that perfect al dente texture, ensuring it doesn’t turn mushy and maintains its delightful bite.
- Hot Pepper Sauce (Optional): This delightful addition perfectly balances the soup’s richness while introducing a gentle kick of heat. Tailor it to your palate!
- Top off each bowl with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the soup’s flavor profile.
Check out the recipe card below for a delightful collection of ingredients, precise quantities, and step-by-step instructions to guide you through the cooking process!
Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Your Ingredients
- Start by warming up a skillet over medium heat to get that perfect sizzle going for your ground beef.
- Sizzle up 1 pound of extra lean ground beef until it’s beautifully browned and ready to shine in your dish!
- Trim the excess fat and transfer the perfectly cooked beef into a spacious 6–7-quart slow cooker.
- Start by finely chopping 1 cup of onion, 1 cup of carrots, and ½ cup of celery to create a vibrant base for your dish.
- The soup is elevated by a fragrant medley of these delightful vegetables.
Combine in Your Slow Cooker for a Delightful Blend of Flavors!
- Incorporate a slow cooker Let’s dive into the delightful array of ingredients!
- Start by adding a delightful mix of chopped onions, vibrant carrots, and crisp celery into your slow cooker.
- Gently fold in:
- One can of diced tomatoes, ranging from 14 to 16 ounces, complete with its luscious juice.
- One can of rinsed kidney beans
- One can of rinsed white beans
- Four cups of rich, savory beef broth
- A delightful 24-ounce jar of tomato-basil marinara
- For a burst of flavor in your soup, sprinkle in:
- 1½ teaspoons of oregano
- ¾ teaspoon of hot pepper sauce for that perfect kick
- ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper
- These simple ingredients will elevate your dish to a whole new level!
- Combine all the ingredients thoroughly for a harmonious blend of flavors.
Whip Up a Delightful Pot of Soup!
- For a delightful slow-cooking experience, simply cover your slow cooker and set it to the LOW setting.
- Slowly roast those vibrant vegetables for a delightful 5 to 7 hours, allowing them to become irresistibly tender and full of flavor.
Get Ready to Whip Up Some Delightful Pasta!
- Cook up 1¼ cups of dry pasta, like ditalini or small shells, by following the package instructions. Aim to do this about 15-20 minutes before your soup reaches its perfect finish.
- Drain and set it aside for now.
Plate It Up and Enjoy!
- Once those slow-cooked vegetables have reached that perfect tender state, it’s time to introduce the cooked pasta into the delightful soup.
- Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or a splash of hot sauce to elevate those flavors just right!
- Gently ladle the warm, comforting soup into bowls, ready to be savored and enjoyed.
- To elevate the dish, sprinkle in some vibrant chopped fresh parsley and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese for that irresistible umami kick.
- Serve it piping hot and savor every spoonful of this delightful, hearty soup!
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- There’s nothing quite like the comforting combination of warm, crusty garlic bread to dip into that rich, savory broth. It’s a match made in culinary heaven!
- Pair this delightful dish with a refreshing Caesar salad or a classic Italian salad for a truly satisfying meal experience.
- Imagine a cozy rustic Italian dinner where the aroma of hearty soup fills the air, perfectly complemented by vibrant antipasto platters brimming with briny olives, tangy marinated vegetables, and savory slices of salami. It’s a feast for the senses that transports you straight to the heart of Italy!
Deliciously Organized: Your Guide to Storage and Meal Prep
- To keep your delicious soup fresh, simply refrigerate the cooled mixture (just remember to leave out the pasta!) in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to 4 days, ready for you to enjoy again!
- To keep your pasta perfectly al dente, it’s essential to store it separately. This prevents it from soaking up that delicious broth and losing its delightful texture!
- Warm up that delicious soup in the microwave or on the stove over medium heat for the perfect cozy meal. Before serving, gently fold in the cooked pasta for a delightful finish.
- For optimal freshness, you can freeze your delicious soup (minus the pasta) and enjoy it for up to three months! Perfect for those cozy nights when you crave a warm bowl of goodness.
- Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and toss in some fresh pasta just before serving for that perfect finish.
- To make your cooking experience seamless, take a moment the day before to chop those vibrant vegetables and brown some ground beef. This little prep will have you assembling your dish in no time!
Delicious Twists
- Vegetarian Pasta Fagioli: Swap in vegetable broth for a rich, savory base instead of beef. Adding extra beans or diced zucchini brings a delightful texture to your dish!
- Chicken Twist: A delightful twist on a classic, this dish is made lighter and healthier by using ground chicken or turkey in place of beef.
- For a delightful spicy kick, consider tossing in some diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to elevate the heat level of your dish.
- Whole Grain Pasta: If you’re navigating dietary restrictions, opt for whole-grain or gluten-free pasta for a delicious and wholesome meal.
- To elevate the herbal notes in your dish, consider adding a fragrant bay leaf or a sprig of rosemary to your slow cooker. These aromatic additions will infuse your meal with delightful flavors that are simply irresistible!
Final Thoughts
This delightful Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli, inspired by the beloved Olive Garden, brings a taste of Italian comfort right into your home kitchen. The luscious broth, succulent beef, and robust beans come together to create an irresistible one-pot meal that everyone will adore.
Olive Garden Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli: Comfort in Every Spoonful
This Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli is a hearty and comforting soup inspired by Olive Garden’s classic dish. Packed with ground beef, vegetables, beans, and pasta, it’s a perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef browned and drained
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14-16 oz, with juice
- 1 can kidney beans 14-15 oz, rinsed and drained
- 1 can white beans 14-15 oz, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 jar tomato-basil marinara sauce 24-26 oz
- 1 1/2 tsp oregano
- 3/4 tsp hot pepper sauce optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups dry pasta fusilli, shells, or ditalini, cooked separately
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley optional
- grated Parmesan optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef until browned, then drain excess fat and transfer to a 6-7 quart slow cooker. Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery, and add them to the slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, white beans, beef broth, and marinara sauce to the slow cooker. Stir in oregano, hot pepper sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.
- About 15-20 minutes before the soup is finished, cook the dry pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the soup. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For added flavor, consider serving with crusty bread or a side salad. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal
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