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Cozy Pasta e Fagioli Recipe Easy Homemade Pasta and Beans Under 1 Dollar

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A warm, hearty, and budget-friendly pasta and beans soup that is quick to prepare and perfect for cozy nights. This recipe combines small pasta shapes with creamy cannellini beans in a savory broth for comforting satisfaction.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dry cannellini beans (soaked overnight or canned for convenience)
  • 3/4 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using dry cannellini beans, soak 1 cup overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse before cooking. If using canned beans, rinse well and skip to step 3.
  2. Place soaked beans in a large pot with 4 cups of vegetable broth or water. Add the rosemary sprig. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until beans are tender but not mushy. Add more water if liquid reduces too quickly.
  3. While the beans cook, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in another pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste with the veggies. Cook for another 2 minutes to deepen flavor and remove raw taste.
  5. Remove the rosemary sprig from the beans pot and add the sautéed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Bring back to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add 3/4 cup small pasta directly into the pot. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Add a splash of water or broth if soup gets too thick.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil for a silky finish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the beans to keep them tender but intact. Stir pasta occasionally to prevent sticking. Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for finishing. Salt in stages to avoid toughening beans. Leftovers taste better the next day. For freezing, omit pasta and cook fresh when serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta e fagioli, pasta and beans, cozy soup, budget-friendly recipe, easy pasta soup, Italian comfort food, cannellini beans, ditalini pasta

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/cozy-pasta-e-fagioli-recipe-easy-homemade-pasta-and-beans-under-1-dollar/