Description

Experience the comforting flavors of Italy in your own kitchen with this Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Recipe. This hearty and nutritious soup combines tender ground beef, fresh vegetables, and al dente pasta, making it a perfect option for cozy family dinners or gatherings with friends. With a blend of rich tomato broth and a medley of herbs, each spoonful is packed with warmth and flavor. Easy to prepare in just under an hour, this dish is not only satisfying but also customizable to suit your taste preferences. Whether served as a main course or a starter, this classic soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb lean ground beef
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 cup diced carrots (approximately 2 medium carrots)
1 cup diced celery (approximately 3 stalks)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
3 cans (8 oz each tomato sauce)
2 cans (14.5 oz each low-sodium chicken broth)
1/2 cup water (plus additional as needed)
1 can (15 oz diced tomatoes)
2 tsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup dry ditalini pasta
1 can (15 oz dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed)
1 can (15 oz great northern beans, drained and rinsed)
3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked, then drain excess fat.
In the same pot, add the remaining olive oil and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until tender. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Cook ditalini pasta separately until al dente; drain.
Mix cooked pasta with beans into the soup; adjust consistency with more broth if needed. Simmer for 1 minute before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and cheese if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 300g)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 10g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: For added nutrition, feel free to incorporate more vegetables like spinach or zucchini. To make it vegetarian-friendly, substitute ground beef with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.