This easy Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli soup recipe is packed with flavor. You’ll love it better than the Olive Garden version! Experience the rich taste of this Italian classic made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
The Ultimate Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
For many, the first introduction to the comforting goodness of Pasta e Fagioli was likely at Olive Garden. This beloved Italian-American restaurant chain popularized a soup that, while rooted in traditional Italian peasant cuisine, has found a special place in the hearts of diners worldwide. While Italy has enjoyed countless variations of this “pasta and bean” soup for centuries, Olive Garden’s rendition became a household name for its savory broth, tender pasta, and medley of vegetables and beans. If you’ve been searching for a way to recreate that experience—or even surpass it—in the comfort of your own kitchen, look no further. Our Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipe delivers incredible depth of flavor with minimal effort, promising a hearty and satisfying meal that might just become your new family favorite.
“My go-to pasta fagioli recipe! Fantastic and easy – thank you! – Michelle”
Why This Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli Recipe is a Game-Changer
There’s something truly magical about transforming humble ingredients into a rich, complex meal with the help of a slow cooker. This Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli recipe leverages the low-and-slow cooking method to meld flavors beautifully, creating a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day (because it has!). Unlike its restaurant counterpart, our homemade version allows you to control the quality of ingredients, adjust seasonings to your preference, and avoid any unwanted additives. You get all the comforting flavors you love, but with the added satisfaction of a wholesome, customizable, and incredibly easy-to-make dish.
Using a slow cooker for your Pasta e Fagioli means less time hands-on in the kitchen and more time for life. Just brown your ground beef, toss everything else into the Crock Pot, and let it work its magic. The flavors intensify over several hours, resulting in a robust and deeply satisfying soup that’s perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or feeding a crowd. Plus, the slow cooker ensures your beans and vegetables become incredibly tender, absorbing all the aromatic spices and beef broth to create a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasta e Fagioli
While the slow cooker method is fantastic for convenience and flavor development, you can certainly make this soup on the stovetop. Simply follow the instructions for browning the beef, then combine all ingredients (except the pasta) in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded. During the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, stir in the pasta and continue to simmer until it’s al dente. This method allows for a quicker preparation time if you’re short on time.
Absolutely! Italian sausage is a wonderful addition that can bring an extra layer of flavor to your Pasta e Fagioli. You can substitute the ground beef entirely with ground Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, depending on your preference), or use a combination of half ground beef and half sausage for a balanced taste. Just be sure to brown the sausage thoroughly and drain any excess grease before adding it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli are both classic Italian soups, and while they share similarities, they have distinct characteristics. Minestrone is typically a vegetable-heavy soup, often featuring a wide array of seasonal vegetables, sometimes with pasta or rice, and a lighter broth. Its focus is on the abundance and variety of vegetables. Pasta e Fagioli, as its name “pasta and beans” suggests, primarily emphasizes beans (like cannellini and kidney beans) and small pasta shapes (such as ditalini). While it does contain vegetables like carrots and celery, they serve more as aromatic complements to the beans and pasta, which are the stars of the dish. Pasta e Fagioli often has a slightly thicker, heartier consistency compared to minestrone.
Storing Pasta e Fagioli properly is key to enjoying delicious leftovers. The biggest tip for preserving the ideal texture is to cook the pasta separately if you anticipate having leftovers. Pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits in the soup, which can make it mushy and reduce the amount of broth. Instead, cook the ditalini separately and add it to individual servings just before eating. Store the soup (without pasta) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When reheating, combine the soup with freshly cooked pasta, or add pre-cooked pasta and a splash of extra beef broth or water to thin it out if needed. This ensures your soup remains perfectly “soupy” and your pasta retains its al dente bite.
Yes, Pasta e Fagioli freezes quite well, especially if you follow the tip about cooking the pasta separately. To freeze, allow the soup (without pasta) to cool completely. Transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Adjust seasoning and add a bit more broth or water if it’s too thick. Cook fresh pasta to add just before serving.
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version of this hearty soup, simply omit the ground beef. You can replace it with extra beans (such as chickpeas or great northern beans), diced mushrooms for a meaty texture, or a plant-based ground crumble. Make sure to use vegetable broth instead of beef stock. The rest of the ingredients and cooking method remain the same, providing a delicious and comforting meat-free meal.
Ingredients for the Best Homemade Pasta e Fagioli
Crafting a truly exceptional Pasta e Fagioli begins with a careful selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the soup’s signature taste and texture:
- Ground Beef: The foundation of this hearty soup, providing savory depth. You can opt for lean ground beef to reduce grease.
- Aromatics (Onion, Carrots, Celery): The classic “soffritto” base, finely diced to blend seamlessly into the broth and contribute a sweet, earthy flavor.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: Adds a bright, tangy acidity and a rich tomato base. Using them undrained ensures all the juicy flavor is captured.
- Dark Red Kidney Beans & Cannellini Beans: The stars of “fagioli” (beans). The combination offers varied textures and nutty flavors. Draining and rinsing them helps reduce excess sodium and starch.
- Beef Stock: The liquid base, crucial for a robust and deeply flavored broth. Good quality stock makes a significant difference.
- Spaghetti Sauce: A clever shortcut that infuses the soup with pre-seasoned tomato goodness, saving you from adding multiple spices individually.
- Dried Oregano & Parsley: Essential Italian herbs that impart classic Mediterranean aromas and flavors.
- Ground Black Pepper & Salt: Seasoning to taste, enhancing all the other ingredients.
- Ditalini Pasta: Small, tube-shaped pasta that is traditional for Pasta e Fagioli. Its size is perfect for spooning up with the beans and broth. Other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells also work well.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Making this hearty soup in your slow cooker couldn’t be simpler. Follow these easy steps for a delicious and fuss-free meal:
Preparation and Initial Cooking
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble your ground beef until it’s fully browned. This step is crucial for developing flavor and ensuring proper texture.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the beef is browned, carefully drain off any excess grease. This prevents the soup from becoming oily. Transfer the browned ground beef to your slow cooker.
- Combine All Ingredients (Except Pasta): Add all the remaining ingredients—diced onion, carrots, celery, undrained diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed cannellini beans, beef stock, spaghetti sauce, dried oregano, dried parsley, black pepper, and salt—to the slow cooker with the beef.
- Stir Well: Give everything a good stir to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the liquids and seasonings.
Slow Cooking and Final Touches
- Set and Cook: Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The longer cooking time on low often yields deeper, more developed flavors.
- Add the Pasta: During the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking, stir in the ditalini pasta. This timing is important to prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy.
- Continue Cooking: Cook until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, but check your pasta package for specific cooking times.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pasta is cooked, your Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli is ready to be served! Ladle it into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve alongside crusty bread or garlic breadsticks for a complete meal.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Pasta e Fagioli
- Pasta Absorption: Pasta is notorious for soaking up liquid, even after cooking. If you prefer a “soupier” consistency, have an extra can of beef broth or some water handy. You can add it in the last 15-30 minutes of cooking or when reheating leftovers to achieve your desired broth level.
- Pre-cook Pasta for Leftovers: As mentioned in the FAQ, if you know you’ll have leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls just before serving. This prevents the pasta from becoming overly soft and preserves the soup’s broth.
- Season to Taste: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Different brands of broth and spaghetti sauce can vary in sodium content.
- Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese, can elevate the flavor and presentation of your soup.
- Don’t Rush Browning: Properly browning the ground beef creates a crucial layer of savory flavor. Don’t skip or rush this step.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few classic accompaniments:
- Garlic Breadsticks: Just like Olive Garden, crusty garlic breadsticks are perfect for dipping into the rich broth.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
- Crusty Bread: Any good crusty bread will do to soak up the delicious liquid.
- Cheese: A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese adds a salty, umami finish.
Feel free to experiment with variations:
- Add More Veggies: Spinach, kale, zucchini, or bell peppers can be added during the last hour of cooking for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the herbs can give your soup a delightful warmth.
- Herb Boost: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, tied in a sachet and added to the slow cooker, can infuse even more aromatic notes.
Craving More Copycat and Comfort Food Recipes?
If you loved recreating this Olive Garden classic, you’re in for a treat! Explore more of our favorite copycat recipes and comforting dishes:
- Homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing
- Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo
- Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
- Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
- Homemade Garlic Breadsticks
- Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
- Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
- Crock Pot Lasagna
- Crock Pot Pork Loin
Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
20 minutes
6 hours
6 hours 15 minutes
6
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 26 ounce container beef stock (or 3 cups)
- 25 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or your favorite small pasta shape)
Instructions
- Brown and crumble ground beef in a large skillet. Drain excess grease thoroughly. Add the browned beef into the slow cooker.
- Add all other ingredients to the slow cooker (except for the ditalini pasta) and stir until well combined.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the ditalini pasta. Continue to cook until the pasta is al dente. Serve hot with breadsticks or your favorite crusty bread!
Video
Notes
- Pasta tends to absorb a lot of liquid. If you prefer a soupier consistency, have an extra can of beef broth (or water) ready to add towards the end of cooking or when reheating leftovers.
Main Course
Italian
Nutrition
Calories:
331
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
26
g
|
Protein:
19
g
|
Fat:
15
g
|
Sodium:
317
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
3
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Originally published: November 2011
Updated & republished: December 2021
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Slow Cooker Soup
This Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipe brings the beloved restaurant flavor right into your home, but with the added benefits of ease, cost-effectiveness, and customizable freshness. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Olive Garden classic or simply looking for a new, hearty soup to add to your repertoire, this slow cooker version promises to deliver a deeply satisfying and effortlessly delicious meal. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day, feed a hungry family, or simply enjoy a taste of Italy without leaving your kitchen. So fire up your Crock Pot and get ready to savor the rich, comforting flavors of homemade Pasta e Fagioli!