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Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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