There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of hearty soup, and Meme’s Pasta Fagioli is the epitome of comfort food. This recipe, brimming with cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, lean ground beef, and a medley of vegetables and herbs, is like a warm hug on a cold day. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in, this dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
Table of Contents
The Best Meme’s Pasta Fagioli Recipe
Notes on Ingredients
The ingredients in Meme’s Pasta Fagioli come together to create a symphony of flavors. Lean ground beef adds a rich, meaty base, while the vegetables—onion, celery, and carrot—provide a fresh, aromatic foundation. The garlic, parsley, basil, and oregano infuse the soup with classic Italian flavors, and the combination of tomato-vegetable juice cocktail and chicken broth creates a savory, robust broth. Ditalini pasta and cannellini beans add heartiness and texture, making every bite satisfying.
How to Make Meme’s Pasta Fagioli
- Cook the Beef: Start by browning the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s crumbly and cooked through, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the beef on a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onion, celery, and carrot until they soften, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, around 1 to 2 minutes.
- Simmer the Soup: Stir in the tomato-vegetable juice cocktail, chicken broth, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: While the soup is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini pasta until it’s tender yet firm to the bite, which should take about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Combine and Heat: Add the cooked ground beef and drained cannellini beans to the soup. Stir well and let it cook until the soup is heated through, about 10 minutes.
- Serve: To serve, spoon about 1/3 cup of cooked pasta into each serving bowl and ladle the hot soup over the pasta. Enjoy!
How to Serve Meme’s Pasta Fagioli
Meme’s Pasta Fagioli is best served hot, straight from the pot. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for an added touch of flavor and color. Pair it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth, and you’ve got a meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.
How to Store Meme’s Pasta Fagioli
To store leftovers, keep the pasta separate from the soup to prevent it from becoming mushy. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, combine the pasta and soup in a pot and heat over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
Nutrition information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 256.77 kcal | 13% |
| Total Fat | 8.29 g | 12% |
| Carbs | 26.45 g | 10% |
| Sugars | 4.46 g | 5% |
| Protein | 17.79 g | 36% |
| Sodium | 516.13 mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 4.29 g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.58 g | 13% |
| Trans Fat | 0.31 g | – |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3.72 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.56 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 36.85 mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 55.34 mg | 7% |
| Magnesium | 40.74 mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 641.11 mg | 18% |
| Iron | 3.65 mg | 26% |
| Zinc | 3.21 mg | 32% |
| Phosphorus | 172.45 mg | 25% |
| Vitamin A | 384.45 mcg | 48% |
| Vitamin C | 80.48 mg | 101% |
| Thiamin B1 | 0.33 mg | 30% |
| Riboflavin B2 | 0.28 mg | 20% |
| Niacin B3 | 5.28 mg | 33% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.34 mg | 25% |
| Folic Acid B9 | 114.28 mcg | 57% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.25 mcg | 50% |
| Vitamin D | 0.06 mcg | 1% |
| Vitamin E | 0.89 mg | 7% |
| Vitamin K | 16.8 mcg | 22% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
FAQs About Meme’s Pasta Fagioli
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While ditalini is traditional, you can use any small pasta shape, such as elbow macaroni or small shells.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Can I freeze Meme’s Pasta Fagioli?
Q: A: Yes, you can freeze the soup without the pasta. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator, reheat, and add freshly cooked pasta.
The Best Meme’s Pasta Fagioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 thin slice onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 32 ounce bottle tomato-vegetable juice cocktail (such as V8®)
- 1 14 ounce can chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; discard grease.
- Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat; sauté onion, celery, and carrot until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir vegetable juice cocktail, chicken broth, parsley, basil, oregano, and black pepper into vegetable mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini pasta in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Stir beef and cannellini beans into soup; cook and stir until soup is heated through, about 10 minutes.
- Spoon about 1/3 cup pasta into each serving bowl; ladle soup over pasta.
Enjoy this delightful and hearty dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!