Description
This Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli copycat recipe is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired soup featuring a savory blend of sausage, beans, vegetables, and tender ditalini pasta simmered in a rich tomato broth. It’s a comforting dish perfect for warming up on chilly days or serving as a satisfying meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta Fagioli
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 mild sausages, casings removed
- 4 cups broth
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1/3 cup Ditalini pasta
- 1/2 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 can white beans, drained and rinsed
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics and Sausage: In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent. Then, add the crumbled sausage and cook until it is partially cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to break it up.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and ketchup. Stir to combine, then add the 1/2 teaspoon sugar and julienned carrot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the carrots to soften.
- Add Beans, Pasta, and Spices: Stir in the drained red kidney beans, white beans, dried basil, celery seed, minced garlic, and the ditalini pasta. Continue to simmer the soup for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the pasta fagioli hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness and flavor.
Notes
- Broth Substitute: You can replace the broth with 4 cups of water plus 1/2 tablespoon of beef bouillon for a similar savory base.
- Celery Seed Substitute: If you don’t have celery seed, one stalk of fresh celery chopped finely can be used instead.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair with crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
