Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli is a comforting Italian-inspired soup that’s hearty and full of flavor. Made with tender ground beef, beans, vegetables, and pasta, it’s perfect for an easy weeknight meal or cozy weekend dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans beef broth (14.5 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 15 ounces cannellini beans
• 15 ounces dark red kidney beans
• 1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain the excess fat.
2. Step 2: In the slow cooker, combine the cooked beef with carrots, celery, onion, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, cannellini beans, and kidney beans.
3. Step 3: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 hours, or choose high and cook for 4 hours.
4. Step 4: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked ditalini pasta and continue cooking until the pasta is tender.
5. Step 5: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version.
• Swap ditalini pasta with small shells or elbow macaroni if you can’t find ditalini.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the slow cooker before cooking.
• Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for garnish.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a little water or broth if the pasta has absorbed too much liquid. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months, but add fresh pasta when reheating as the cooked pasta may become mushy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup without meat?

Yes, you can omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Adding extra beans or vegetables can help keep it hearty.

When should I add the pasta to the slow cooker?

Add the uncooked pasta about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time to ensure it cooks properly without becoming overly soft or mushy.

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 102 reviews

A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli combining tender ground beef, nutritious beans, tender vegetables, and ditalini pasta simmered together with Italian seasoning for a flavorful, easy-to-make Italian classic stew.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 onion, diced

Liquids and Seasoning

• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans beef broth (14.5 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Beans and Pasta

• 15 ounces cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta

Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to prevent greasiness in the final dish.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef into your slow cooker. Add diced carrots, sliced celery, diced onion, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, cannellini beans, and kidney beans. Stir gently to combine.
3. Cook in Slow Cooker: Set your slow cooker on low and cook for 6 hours, or on high for 4 hours, allowing all flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
4. Add Pasta: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked ditalini pasta. Cover and continue cooking so the pasta cooks through and absorbs the flavors.
5. Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve hot for a warm, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and enhance freshness.
• Browning ground beef first enhances flavor and improves texture.
• Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker model.
• For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
• Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: pasta e fagioli, slow cooker soup, Italian soup, beef and bean stew, comfort food, ditalini pasta soup