Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Recipe

Better than Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup | Household Favorite

This Pasta e Fagioli Soup is one of our familys most favorite cold weather meals. It reminds me of fall leaves, football season, sweaters and cozy fires. Its my top choice at Olive Garden every time we go there to eat, so I decided to find a way to make it at home. This copycat recipe tastes exactly like the popular restaurant dish!

Ground beef is a staple for many easy, budget-friendly meals. For more easy dinner ideas prepared with ground beef, check out our post on Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup

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Make the classic Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup at home! It tastes just like the restaurant version!

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Olive Garden is known for a few items, and one of those is the soups they make.

And I love soups, especially in the fall and winter, because they are the ultimate perfect comfort food.

The Pasta e Fagioli soup is a very American twist on an Italian classic.

The name translates to pasta and beans which is exactly the focus of this soup!

This Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup has ground beef in it, but it is not the primary focus.

I personally think there is just enough beef in it to keep a focus on the beans, pasta, and vegetables.

The classic restaurant version of this soup is quite thinner than this recipe.

If you want it thin, like the restaurant, then add an additional 2 cups of stock or water to the soup.

I am a big fan of trying to recreate restaurant dishes that you love at home.

Not only is it cheaper, but much more convenient and comfortable.

We have a lot of Copycat Olive Garden recipes that you can try, including another one of their very popular soups, the Zuppa Toascana!

This Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup recipe makes around a gallon of soup.

This equates to around 12 servings of what you would get in the restaurant, or 6 larger servings.

Weird, but yummy.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make This Olive Garden Copycat Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Lean ground beef I like to use 96% Lauras Lean ground beef. You can use ground turkey, if desired.

Yellow onion chopped
Garlic cloves-minced
Low sodium beef broth- This soup will thicken as it cools and is meant to be a thick, more like a stew soup. Feel free to add another 1-2 cups of broth to thin it out if its too thick once its cooled.

Crushed or diced tomatoes I like to use crushed tomatoes. Do not drain the juice.
Apple cider vinegar- helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes
Zero point white granulated sugar sweetener or regular sugar- balances out the the acidity of the tomatoes.

Basil-fresh or dried. I love using fresh herbs in this soup.
Thyme- fresh or dried. I love using fresh herbs in this soup.
Uncooked ditalini pasta- you can use anywhole grain ditalini pasta if youre following the WW purple plan for zero points

Dark kidney beans-drained
Cannellini beans or Northern white kidney beans- drained
Parmesan cheese- for garnish, if desired

Can You Freeze Pasta Fagioli Soup

Yes! This soup will freeze for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in individual serving-size soup containers so I can pull out just what I need.

Let your soup completely cool. Fill the container leaving about ¾-1 of space at the top for the soup to expand while freezing.

When you are ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Storing Pasta E Fagioli

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup Recipe

Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days. The kicker? This soup tastes better and better as it marinates in the fridge. Yes, that means your leftovers will get tastier as the days go by! To reheat your soup, simply microwave it or bring it to a simmer in a pot over medium-high heat.

Also Check: 7 Day Diet Plan For Weight Loss Cabbage Soup

How To Make Pasta E Fagioli

In a dutch oven or soup pot, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil at medium heat and brown your beef. Drain excess fat and set aside. Add a bit more olive oil to the pot and stir in garlic, onions, celery and carrots. Cook until tender.

Add in tomato sauce, canned tomatoes and beef. Stir to combine. Add your beans and chicken stock/broth. Let simmer for 10 minutes.

Add in pasta andItalian seasoning . Cook for 10 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To Make Ahead For The Week

Cook the pasta Fagioli on Sunday, leave the pasta on the side. Let the soup cool slightly, then spoon it into glass storage containers and refrigerator for five days. The pasta can be made ahead of time and stored in a separate container or bag in the fridge.
Reheat the soup on the stovetop or microwave and add in the pasta after the soup is hot.

Read Also: Asian Soup Bowl And Spoon Set

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

Who doesnt love Olive Garden? Everybody does, but not everybody can go whenever they want so this is a perfect way to bring the restaurant to your table. Italian cuisine is very popular, but not all Italian food is easy to make.

That is not the case with this soup. This is an all-in-one pot dish. Easy and fast, it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish and you can feed your family an Italian favorite.

Winters cold weather calls for hot and delicious food to warm not only your body but your heart as well, and this is a winner recipe for that. Soup season is officially here and this copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli has it all!

What Is Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe | Italian Olive Garden Recipe

This Italian soup literally means pasta and beans so thats what youll find in this dish, along with ground beef, Italian seasonings in a rich tomato based broth. Pasta E Fagioli is very similar to another hearty favorite, minestrone. The difference between these two soups is minestrone uses several different veggies and Pasta e Fagioli features onion, celery and carrots for flavor, but no other vegetables.

Also Check: Best Healthy Soups To Buy

Fun Facts About Pasta Fazool

First there was the soup and then there were the pronunciations.

Pasta Fazool, Pasta Fazoola, Pasta e Fagiolo, Pasta e Fasule, Pasta Fagioli, Whatever it is, it all means Pasta and Beans.

Then there were the songs. Way back in the 1920’s Pastafazoola was made famous by a male duo and they sang out “Don’t be a fool, eat pastafazool!”. That song was recorded several times by other artists.

Then there was Dean Martin’s ‘Amore’. He not only sang about a big pizza pie in your eye he also sang When the stars make you drool, just-a like pasta fazool, thats amore

I mean it has got to be good stuff!

Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup: Chicken and Rice Soup warms you up on cold fall and winter days. It is also ideal for busy days. The ingredients go into the Slow Cooker in the morning and a nice, hot meal awaits in the evening.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup: There are so many different vegetables in this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. It is very healthy and hearty.

Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini Soup: This Cheese Tortellini Soup is a flavorful, easy slow cooker meal. Tortellini, sausage, and spinach in a creamy tomato soup and slow cooked to perfection.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup: This is one of the easiest soups you will ever make. Full of flavorful meat and veggies, everyone loves it!
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup: Many agree that this Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Copycat is actually better than the original, loaded with sausage and potatoes.

Don’t Miss: Campbell’s Black Bean Soup

Faq Common Recipe Questions

Can I freeze leftovers?

I wouldnt recommend it once everything is combined. Soups with pasta dont tend to hold up well once theyve been thawed and reheated.

However, you can freeze the fagioli soup base for up to 3 months and add freshly cooked ditalini just before serving.

Or, store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat on the stove until warmed through.

Whats the difference between Olive Garden pasta fagioli and minestrone?

While the two are very similar, minestrone contains a wide variety of vegetables while fagioli soup features more beans and noodles.

It also has a much thicker texture, almost like stew, and a stronger tomato flavor.

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Whats In Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe

This wonderfully hearty soup has it all. Protein from ground beef. Veggies from onions, carrots, and celery.

Complex carbs from red kidney beans and cannellini beans.

Pasta gives it the Italian touch, all cooked in a beef broth and tomato sauce base with diced tomatoes. It also has basil and oregano, which are the most recognized herbs in Italian cuisine.

Don’t Miss: Campbell’s Low Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup

Can You Freeze Pasta E Fagioli

Yep- with some adjustments. Pasta doesnt freeze well. Instead of adding the pasta to the entire bowl, as instructed, add it to each bowl before you serve. This way when you freeze the leftovers, none of the pasta will be frozen. When you re-heat the soup just add a new batch of pasta to avoid mushy pasta.

How To Make Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli

Cook the beef in the oil in a large stockpot, breaking it up as it browns.

Add onions, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add beans, beef broth, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, and marinara sauce.

Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes.

Add the pasta and simmer until it is cooked.

Stir in the parsley before serving.

CopyKat Tip: Do not add the pasta if you plan on freezing the soup. Pasta does not freeze well. Just cook some pasta to add to the soup when you thaw and reheat it.

This soup abounds with different types of beans, pasta, fresh onions, fresh celery, and fresh carrots. You will be surprised at how easy you can put this soup together.

This recipe makes a very large amount of soup, about 9 quarts. Its perfect for a large crowd. You can cut the recipe in half for a smaller amount.

This is one of those recipes that tastes even better the second day.

You are bound to fall in love with this version of the Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli when you make it at home.

Also Check: Well Yes Carrot Ginger Soup

What Makes This A Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli

While there are numerous variations to making a homemade Pasta Fagioli soup recipe, I decided to go directly to the source to see what was in Olive Garden’s special recipe. According to the menu on the Olive Garden website, the ingredients in their soup include “white and red beans, ground beef, fresh tomatoes, and tubetti pasta in a savory broth.”

In order to make the most authentic copycat Olive Garden recipe, I used this list as a guideline to build the rest of the soup. I added a simple mirepoix to it, as well as oregano and thyme for flavor. The best “tubetti” pasta I could find easily at the grocery store was a box of ditalini, which is why I decided on that type specifically. And, of course, there’s minced garlic. Because what Italian recipe wouldn’t have it?

So here’s my take on an Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipewith a special seal of approval from my Italian grandma.

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How To Make Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Recipe

You only use one large skillet and the recipe is all done in 30 minutes.

To make this oil free add 3 tablespoons of water in a large skillet.

Heat water, add the onions and sauté 10 minutes stirring so that the onions don’t burn.

Add the garlic for another minute.

Make sure the carrots are cut very small so that they cook in 10 minutes.

To the skillet add the broth, all tomato ingredients, carrots, celery, oregano, basil and cumin.

Bring to a boil and add the uncooked pasta and both kinds of beans .

Reduce the heat to medium high and cook the Pasta Fagioli Soup for 8 minutes.

Add salt and pepper to taste and I start with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and usually add more.

And there you have it! A rich and easy soup that will feed a lot of people.

Read Also: Is 15 Bean Soup Keto Friendly

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Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add into the slow cooker.
Add all the other ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.

Cover and set slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours
During the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, add in the pasta and stir. Cook until pasta is al dente then serve with breadsticks!

How To Make Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

In a 5 ½ quart dutch oven or soup, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until onions are translucent this step takes around 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Then stir the dried oregano, basil, and thyme into the cooked vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the spices are fragrant. This step helps to bloom the spices, which gives them a deeper flavor.
Stir the tomato paste into the vegetables. This method helps to blend the tomato paste evenly into the vegetables and soup.

Next, add the ground beef into the soup pot and sprinkle with salt. Cook until beef is no longer pink. Break up the ground beef into small pieces as it cooks.
To the soup pot, pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, red kidney beans, and white kidney beans.
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes or until carrots and celery are soft. Add more beef broth if the soup gets too thick.

Serve with cooked ditalini pasta. You can either add the pasta to the pot or add the amount of pasta you want into a bowl and then ladle the soup over the top and mix.
Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top and enjoy.

Recommended Reading: Weight Loss Cabbage Soup Ingredients

Tips For Pasta E Fagioli Soup

This recipe makes a LOT of soup so its a terrific recipe for feeding a crowd or if you like leftovers for lunches. Itll stay fresh in the refrigerator for about a week.
This soup also freezes well, so store in freezer safe containers or Ziploc bags in the freezer for up to two months.
Make sure to use a large crock pot, or feel free to cut the recipe in half.

Pasta e Fagioli is delicious served with some crusty bread, our delicious Italian Cheesy Bread recipe, or one of my favorites, cornbread. Our Cake Mix Cornbread is goes perfectly with this soup.

How To Make It

Have you made this Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup yet?? Just ...

Heat a large dutch oven or a stockpot over medium heat.

Add in the ground beef, onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink . Drain the grease into a can.

Add in the kidney beans, white beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and thyme leaves into the pot. Stir to combine.

Once the liquid starts to boil, add in the pasta.

Reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is done.

Serve with chopped parsley and grated parmesan, if desired.

Also Check: Fresh Green Bean Casserole With Mushroom Soup

What Is Pasta E Fagioli

In Italian, Pasta e Fagioli translates to pasta and beans. This makes a whole lot of sense considering this soup is chock-full of pasta and beans! It is also loaded with aromatic veggies and lean ground beef, making it a whole meal in a bowl. Think of Pasta e Fagioli as an Italian spin on chili!

Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup

In case you didnt know, Olive Garden makes the best Pasta Fagioli Soup. I had always chosen the Zuppa Toscana, because I LOVE IT. A few months ago, a friend talked me into trying her Pasta Fagioli, and I was like, WOW!!! I knew immediately that I needed to be able to make it at home. I set out to find a good recipe for it on the inter-webs! Another Italian soup I love is Sausage and Sweet Potato Tortellini Soup. Both soup recipes are perfect for cold, fall days.

On the inter-webs, there were a few different recipes to choose from. Some were a little pickier than others, and some asked for strange spices that I dont normally keep on hand, ex: tarragon and marjoram. So I took the general idea from the different recipes and decided to try it on my own with more basic ingredients and see how it came out.

Spoiler Alert! It came out AWESOME! I am so happy to share this delicious and simple Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup recipe with you. Its delicious and especially perfect for this time of year. The nice crisp fall weather basically begs us to make soup.

Soup Recipes Perfect for Fall

Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup is traditionally made with ground beef, but I like to do half ground beef, half Italian Sausage. If you want to use all Italian Sausage, thats fine. I suggest definitely adding beef stock or beef bullion instead of chicken, which adds a layer of depth that the beef flavor gives the soup.

I hope you enjoy this flavorful, savory soup!

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