Pasta e Fagioli, also known as pasta fazool, or pasta and beans, is one of the most iconic Italian-American comfort foods. It’s simple to make, budget-friendly, and full of wonderful flavor and texture from cannellini beans, pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, ditalini pasta, and rosemary.
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The Dish I Ate More Than Any Other Growing Up
Pasta fagioli, or pasta e fagioli, or as we say in New York, pasta fazool, is a hearty soup consisting of borlotti (cranberry beans) or cannellini beans and any tiny pasta shape.
There are many versions and variations of this dish and as with many of our recipes, we encourage you to use this recipe as a base and adapt as you see fit.
For example, my grandma did not use pancetta or rosemary in her version, but we love the flavors they add so we use them in this recipe.
They are both optional, and omitting the pancetta will make this dish vegetarian.
Pasta fazool is hearty so it is a meal unto itself but we love to serve it with a green salad or sauteed broccoli rabe and some crusty Italian bread, or garlic bread!
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How to make pasta e fagioli
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Dice one medium-sized onion and 4 ounces of pancetta. Slice 5 cloves of garlic (Photo #1).
- In a large heavy pot, saute the pancetta in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 7-10 minutes over medium heat or until the pancetta has rendered most of its fat (Photo #2). Note: If omitting the pancetta use 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more or until just golden. Add the 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more (Photo #3).
- Hand crush 3 large canned plum tomatoes and add to the onion and pancetta mixture (Photo #4). Note: That’s 3 tomatoes from 1 can – that’s all!
- Add 6 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and give it a stir. Add 1 sprig of rosemary (optional). Add 3 16-ounce cans of drained cannellini beans, a rind of Parmigiano Reggiano (optional), and bring to a boil for 5 minutes (Photo #5).
- Lower the heat to medium and crush some of the beans by smashing them against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. If you’d like a creamier consistency, use an immersion blender for about 5-10 seconds (remove the rosemary sprig before you blend), or blend 1/3 of the beans in a regular blender. Don’t blend too much though as you still want some of the whole beans for your soup (Photo #6).
- Once the soup is at the consistency you want, add 2 cups of uncooked ditalini pasta and cook until al dente. Keep an eye on the pot and stir frequently to avoid sticking. The pasta will absorb much of the liquid so add more water as needed. The final consistency of pasta e fagioli is entirely a personal preference. If you prefer it to be soupier, add more water (Photo #7). Note: If you’re planning to make a large amount of soup for 1 person and plan to have leftovers, cook the pasta separately as it may become mushy the longer it sits in the soup.
- Once the pasta is al dente, turn off the heat and taste test. Adjust salt, pepper, and hot red pepper to taste (Photo #8). Note: you will likely need a good amount more salt, depending on your taste. Once you’re happy with the taste, serve the pasta e fagioli in bowls with crusty bread. Serve with grated cheese, hot red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of your best extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy!
Top Tips
- The beans. Traditionally borlotti beans are used but cannellini beans are easier to find and great for the “fagioli” in pasta e fagioli. For our method, we used an immersion blender to yield a thicker consistency. If you’d like a thinner consistency, skip the blending and simply use the flat part of a wooden spoon to smash the beans on the side of the pot. If you find you’ve gone a bit blender happy with an immersion blender and have no more whole beans left, you can open an additional can of beans and add them to the soup.
- The pasta. We use larger penne pasta for our sausage pasta fagioli but for this recipe small pasta shapes are best. Ditalini (tubetti) or small shells, farfalline, elbows, or even broken spaghetti works well in a pinch!
- The cheese. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese rinds add great flavor to add to soups and we recommend using them if you have. If not, do not worry! You can simply add grated Parmigiano Reggiano to the soup and it will still taste great. Also, if you prefer to use Pecorino instead of Parmigiano, you can do so but since Pecorino is saltier, be mindful of that when adding additional salt and as always, be sure to taste test!
- Adaptations. As mentioned above, you can definitely omit the pancetta to make this a vegetarian pasta e fagioli. As for the rosemary, if you don’t like it you can omit it entirely. Rosemary is strong-tasting herb and will definitely impart a great deal of flavor to the dish so if it’s not your thing, don’t use it. If you’d like additional flavor, you can use low sodium chicken broth instead of water. Lastly, if you are planning to make this ahead of time, or only plan to eat a small amount while saving the rest for leftovers, consider making the pasta separately as it may become mushy.
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If you’re a fan of pasta fagioli, we think you’ll enjoy these other comforting recipes, most of which can be made with pantry staples.
Pasta Fagioli
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces pancetta diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
- 3 16 ounce cans cannellini beans drained, but don't rinse
- 6 cups water to start but add more as needed
- 3 plum tomatoes hand crushed, note: just 3 plum tomatoes from 1 can – that's it!
- 1 sprig rosemary optional
- 2 cups ditalini pasta or small shells, elbows, etc
- 1 Parmigiano rind optional
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- In a large heavy pot saute the pancetta in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 7-10 minutes over medium heat or until the pancetta has rendered most of its fat.
- Next, add in the onions and saute for 5 minutes then add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more until just golden. Finally, add the hot red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
- Next, add in 6 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and the plum tomatoes and give it all a stir. Add in the drained beans, the rosemary if using, and the Parmigiano Reggiano rind (if you don’t have one, you can use a bit of grated cheese or just omit) and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium and crush some of the beans by smashing them against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. For a creamier consistency use an immersion blender, or spoon 1/3 of the beans into a regular blender and pulse. If using an immersion blender, remove the rosemary sprig and parm rind before blending. Don't blend too much so that some of the whole bean texture is maintained. Make sure to do this step before adding the pasta!
- Add in the pasta and cook until al dente. Keep an eye on the pot and stir very frequently to avoid sticking. The pasta will absorb much of the liquid so add more water as needed. The final consistency of the pasta e fagioli is 100% a personal preference. If you like it soupier, add more water!
- Once the pasta is al dente turn off the heat and taste test. Adjust salt (will probably need a good amount), pepper, and hot red pepper to taste.
- When satisfied with the taste, serve in bowls with crusty bread. Offer grated cheese, hot red pepper flakes, or black pepper on the side and drizzle some high-quality extra virgin olive onto each bowl. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pasta. Pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, elbows, and farfalline are all great choices. Even broken spaghetti works!
- Planning. If you plan to have leftovers, be sure to cook the pasta separately. Otherwise, it’s better to cook the pasta in the sauce to better absorb the flavors.
- Leftovers. Pasta e fagioli can be saved for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe was originally published on November 6, 2018. It was completely updated on July 20, 2022.
I love your recipe and love to watch you in the kitchen. Good stuff.
Hi Gosia, thanks for the comment and so happy you’re enjoying the recipes!
Thank you Jim, I have not had this for years, my grandma made it when I was a kid. As soon as I saw your recipe I called my 89 year old mother and said guess what I am making you for dinner. Made her day!
Hi Cindy, thanks for sharing this with me! I hope you and your mom enjoyed it!
Excited to try this recipe, but I do have one question! If plan on cooking the pasta separately to prevent overcooking, would you change the amount of water in the base-soup itself?
Hi Bethany, yes you can reduce the water. I’d say by about half and then add more if needed. I hope you enjoy it!
Made it! Loved it!
Hi Bob, thank you for the comment and so happy you liked it!
This dish was awesome just what my family was craving. I came across your you tube channel when I was searching for peppers and eggs (which that was awesome too). I have been binge watching the videos and have saved a bunch of recipes. These recipes remind me of my grandmothers too. Growing up in South Philly the streets smelled like gravy every Sunday. I’ll be trying a bunch more recipes.
Hi Sandy, I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying the videos and recipes! Thanks for the comment!
I love this I omit the pancetta and I use veggie stock I make this probably twice a month it is amazing I also make garlic knots on the side delish highly recommend this recipe and the left overs are even better 🤌🏻
Thank you for the comment, Chris! I agree that this one (and most soups) taste so much better left over!
Easy to prepare the ingredients are always on hand and delicious!!
All of your recipes are like that. Just so real and down to earth
Thank you, Linda. I appreciate the comment!
I had been searching for years for a delicious white Pasta Fagioli. I used to find it at a small deli like 25 years ago, so that’s how long I’ve been searching. This is it… if not better than the one I loved. I give it 10 stars and will be making my dad a big batch this weekend. Well, off to the store for more ingredients.
Hi Sandy, thank you for the wonderful comment and I’m so happy I was able to help you end your search! Hope your dad enjoys it as well!
I have yet to make this, but I most definitely will. When I want to mash up some of the beans in a recipe, I use my manual potato masher and just press it down in the pot a few times. Just thought I’d share. 😇
Thanks, Janis!
I make Pasta Fazool almost every week. It’s comforting, filling, flexible, and budget-friendly. I add carrots to mine and sometimes omit the pasta (especially when I make a big batch and freeze the leftovers). I can always add cooked pasta (see Jim’s hints) when I reheat.
Thank you, KB!
Excellent taste but I’ll stick to pasta added. It’s just two of us and you can’t freeze it with the pasta.
Hi Sharon. For leftovers, it is a good idea to just hold off and separate the pasta. Thanks for the comment.
Fantastic Video Jim ! The best I have seen so far.
Thank you, Barbara!
Made as written. A fantastic recipe. Great textures. Thank you very much
Hi Jim, thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed!
My favorite soup. I like it a little thick but I’ve never used a blender will have to try that. Also never put pancetta in it because this and Pizza were no meat Friday night staples in our house growing up. Will have to try that too. Yours looks so good I can’t believe it’s 95 degrees outside but now I want pasta Faggioli
Thank you, Louise!
great receipe. Love fagiole!
Thank you, Jeanann!
last night i made this recipe and it was delicious. My family made Pasta Fajioli a different way but I liked this recipe just as well. We used ground meat (beef and pork sausage), kidney beans, chopped spinach, and much more crushed tomato. Very different from yours but equally as delicious.
Hi Ron, thanks for the comment and so happy you liked this recipe. Your family’s version sounds great too!
Hi Jim,
I am a big, big fan, love all your recipes. We had pasta fazool quite often growing up too. My Mom was a fantastic cook and so many of your recipes remind me of her cooking. She sometimes made pasta fagioli with a smoked ham butt which was very tasty. I think this would be a great dish for a Lenten meal, substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth. I don’t see where that would be a problem. I’ve tried your Giambotta recipe too–Fantastic!!
Love your videos, keep them coming.
Hi Marie. Thanks for liking all the videos. I’m happy to hear that the recipes are bringing you back!
assume this can be done in crock pot any recommendations on changes
Hi Kevin. It can definitely be made in a crockpot. I don’t think anything needs to be changed.
Hi Jim. Recently discovered your Youtube channel, and love your recipes and videos. I especially like your passion for Italian food and the simplicity of your dishes, which is essentially what Italian cooking is. I’m an Australian-Sicilian and remember my Nonna’s food as the best. (Don’t we all). Tried this recipe on the stove top and it’s amazing. Love it. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Hi Troy, Nonna always makes the best food! I normally make it in the pot as you did, but wanted to put up an easier version here. Thanks for liking the channel and the recipes.
Hi! Love your recipes. Your site is always my go to for trying something new and they are always delicious!
Curious on this one, what adjustments should I make to do this on the stovetop since I don’t have an instapot?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Hi Anthony! To make this without the Instant Pot it’s pretty simple. I recommend you check out my Pasta e Ceci, which is basically the same thing as pasta fagioli but uses chickpeas instead of cannellini beans. That recipe is made without the Instant Pot. Thanks for the support!
Hello, Happy 2023 ! Love this recipe for addition to our Nomeat Fridays .I do use my recipe with broken spaghetti and also add celery , I serve with flounder on side or tossed salad . Thanks for sharing all these recipes my grandparents are from Basilicata , Irsinia but she never wrote down any recipes. Ciao ! Thanks
Hi Linda, I’m so happy you enjoyed it, and happy 2023 to you as well! Thanks for the comment!