Pasta Fagioli Soup With Spaghetti Sauce
Nothing beats a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day. And when it comes to hearty soups, Italian cuisine has many delicious options to offer. One such dish is Pasta Fagioli Soup with Spaghetti Sauce. This classic Italian soup is a perfect blend of pasta, beans, vegetables, and spices, simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato-based broth. It is easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and is a crowd-pleaser for sure. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to make this delicious soup at home.
Ingredients:
Before we begin, let's gather all the necessary ingredients for this recipe. You will need:
- 1 cup of dry small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 jar of spaghetti sauce (24 oz)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
With these simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and hearty soup that your family and friends will love.
Instructions:
Now that we have all the ingredients, let's begin making the Pasta Fagioli Soup with Spaghetti Sauce.
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. Drain and rinse the beans, and set them aside. Measure out the pasta, spaghetti sauce, and broth. Have all the ingredients handy before you start cooking.
Step 2: Saute the Onion and Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until it turns translucent. Add the minced garlic and saute for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the Tomatoes and Spices
Add the can of diced tomatoes (undrained) to the pot and stir well. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 4: Add the Spaghetti Sauce and Broth
Pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into the pot and stir well. Add the chicken or vegetable broth and stir again. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Add the Beans and Pasta
After the soup has simmered for 10-15 minutes, add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot and stir well. Add the dry pasta and stir again. Let the soup simmer for another 10-12 minutes until the pasta is cooked al dente.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and let the soup rest for a few minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese (if using). Serve hot with some crusty bread on the side.
Tips and Variations:
Here are some tips and variations to help you make the perfect Pasta Fagioli Soup with Spaghetti Sauce:
- You can use any small pasta shape for this recipe, such as ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells.
- If you don't have canned beans, you can use dried beans that have been soaked and cooked beforehand.
- You can add more or less broth depending on how thick you want the soup to be.
- You can substitute the spaghetti sauce with tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.
- You can add more vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, or zucchini.
- You can add some cooked Italian sausage or ground beef for a meatier version of the soup.
- The soup tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make a bigger batch and save some for later.
With these tips and variations, you can customize the soup to your liking and create a unique and delicious version of this classic Italian dish.
Conclusion:
Pasta Fagioli Soup with Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty and comforting soup that is easy to make and full of flavor. With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create a delicious bowl of soup that will warm you up on a cold winter day. So why not give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with your Italian cooking skills?