Name: the absolute best pasta e fagioli
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons flour; salt & freshly ground black pepper; 16 ounces pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ((See Recipe Notes)); 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 cup dry white wine; 1 large onion, diced ((6 ounces)); 6 garlic cloves, chopped; 3 medium carrots, sliced ((8 ounces)); 1 stalk celery, sliced ((2 ounces)); 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves; 1/4 cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves, divided; 2 32-ounce cartons chicken broth ((or 8 cups canned or homemade broth)); 1 28-ounce can crushed or whole peeled tomatoes ((with juice)); 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed & drained; 1 cup small pasta, such as ditali; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving ((4 ounces))

Ahhh …pasta and beans. If you’re a fan of Italian food, Pasta e Fagioli will most likely be included in your list of favorites. It’s a hearty soup with more than enough versions to sample. If you ask anyone in my family, they’ll tell you this is The Absolute Best Pasta e Fagioli!

Every Italian restaurant will make the claim that theirs is the best. They are all good, no doubt.

There is one rule though …

To be authentic, it must include pasta and beans. After that, anything goes.

It can be made with pancetta.
Or it can be made without any meat at all.
It can be “soupy” with a light broth or “stew-like” with a thickened base of milled beans.

This one is a variation of the recipe found in the Stonewall Kitchen Favorites cookbook. The standout difference in this recipe is the addition of fresh rosemary.

Your list of supplies…

Unbleached all-purpose white flour
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Pork tenderloin or sausage
Olive oil
Dry white wine
Onion
Garlic
Carrots
Celery
Fresh rosemary
Fresh Italian parsley
Chicken broth or stock
Canned tomatoes
Canned cannellini beans
Small detali pasta
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

The original recipe instructs us to use cubed boneless pork loin roast …which requires substantial cooking to become tender. Since this soup cooks up rather quickly, I found that pork tenderloin is a better option.

Put the flour in a bowl and season with salt & pepper.
Lightly coat all sides of the pork cubes with the flour.
Heat a large soup pot or dutch oven, of at least 5 1/2 quart capacity, over medium-high heat.
When the pot is hot but not smoking, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
Working in batches, brown the pork, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch.
Transfer the browned pork to a bowl.
Add the wine to the pot, raise the heat to high and simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir with a spoon to release any browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pot.
Pour the wine mixture into the bowl with the cooked pork and set aside.

Make this soup your own. Switch that out the pork for sausage, chicken, or no meat at all. Also, for extra flavor, you can try adding a bit of pancetta or bacon.

This delicious soup can be transformed into a gluten-free dish simply by switching out the flour and pasta for gluten-free versions.

Have your veggies prepped before starting on the soup.
Reduce the heat under the same pot to medium.
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
Add the carrot, celery, rosemary and about half of the parsley.
Season lightly with salt & freshly ground black pepper.
Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Be careful not to overcook the vegetables before adding the broth.

You’ll enjoy the added texture of the perfectly cooked veggies in that bowl of soup later on.

Add the broth and tomatoes along with the beans and browned pork mixture.
If using whole tomatoes, break them up before adding to soup.
Bring to a simmer; then add pasta.
Cook for additional 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
Taste for seasoning.

I always use whole canned tomatoes instead of the crushed variety. When added to the soup, I break them up into good sized chunks so that they are a bit more substantial. Either choice will work.

At this point, you’re about 40 minutes away from a simmering pot of mouthwatering deliciousness.

The following are new and improved photos of The Absolute Best Pasta e Fagioli.

On this batch of goodness, I used Italian sausage instead of pork tenderloin. As I mentioned earlier, you can choose to customize this one with excellent results.

As always, be sure to have that crusty bread ready!

Add a fresh green salad on the side and you have a substantial meal.

5 from 2 votes

the absolute best pasta e fagioli

Adapted from Stonewall Kitchen Favorites by Jonathan King, Jim Stott and Kathy Gunst

This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or can be stored in the freezer for up to two months.

Servings 8 servings

Author Rosemary Stelmach

Ingredients

2 tablespoons flour
salt & freshly ground black pepper
16 ounces pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (See Recipe Notes)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup dry white wine
1 large onion, diced (6 ounces)
6 garlic cloves, chopped
3 medium carrots, sliced (8 ounces)
1 stalk celery, sliced (2 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/4 cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves, divided
2 32-ounce cartons chicken broth (or 8 cups canned or homemade broth)
1 28-ounce can crushed or whole peeled tomatoes (with juice)
2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup small pasta, such as ditali
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (4 ounces)

Instructions

Put the flour in a bowl and season with salt & pepper. Lightly coat all sides of the pork cubes with the flour.
Heat a large soup pot or dutch oven, of at least 5 1/2 quart capacity, over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot but not smoking, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Working in batches, brown the pork, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned pork to a bowl. Add the wine to the pot, raise the heat to high and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir with a spoon to release any browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pot. Pour the wine mixture into the bowl with the cooked pork and set aside.
Reduce the heat under the pot to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the carrot, celery, rosemary and about half of the parsley. Season lightly with salt & pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the broth and tomatoes (if using whole tomatoes, break them up before adding to soup) along with the beans and browned pork mixture. Bring to a simmer; then add pasta. Cook for additional 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Taste for seasoning.
Just before serving, stir in remaining parsley. Serve the soup piping hot in large bowls, topped with a generous amount of grated Parmesan.

Recipe Notes

Instead of pork, sausage or chicken can be used. For an extra flavor boost, add a small amount of pancetta or bacon.

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