The Best Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe Ever Made

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of slow cooker pasta e fagioli soup that blends rustic Italian flavors with hearty ingredients.

Beans, pasta, and vegetables mingle together in a rich broth that warms you from the inside out.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic recipe, passing down traditions through each delicious spoonful.

The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a meal packed with depth and satisfaction.

Tender pasta and creamy beans create a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy a restaurant-worthy soup without spending hours in the kitchen.

This one-pot wonder delivers authentic Italian comfort directly to your dinner table.

Gather your ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic on this soul-satisfying soup.

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup: Cozy Comfort

• Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away, letting the appliance do all the hard work without constant supervision.
• Loaded with protein-rich beef, hearty beans, and colorful vegetables, this soup delivers a balanced meal in a single bowl.
• Kids and adults alike will love the familiar flavors and satisfying texture of this classic Italian-inspired dish.
• Easily make a large batch that stores well, providing delicious leftovers for multiple meals throughout the week.

Pasta e Fagioli Pantry Essentials

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds richness and depth to the soup.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: A classic mirepoix that provides a robust and aromatic foundation for the soup.

• Beef Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet tomato flavor to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Helps to brown the meat and provides a smooth cooking base.

• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings authentic Italian flavor to the soup.
• Bay Leaves: Imparts a subtle earthy and aromatic note to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Cannellini Beans, Red Kidney Beans: Protein-rich legumes that add texture and nutritional value to the soup.
• Ditalini Pasta: Small, short pasta that provides a satisfying bite and helps to make the soup more filling.

Tools For Effortless Slow Cooker Soup

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the soup low and slow, developing rich flavors.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef before transferring to slow cooker.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping carrots, celery, and onions.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable chopping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing in the slow cooker.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup easily into bowls.
• Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing beans.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.

Steps To Heartwarming Pasta e Fagioli

Step 1: Brown The Ground Beef

Get a large skillet sizzling with olive oil and toss in the ground beef.

Cook it until it turns a gorgeous golden brown and loses its pink color.

Once done, transfer this meaty goodness directly into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Create A Flavor Explosion

• Diced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Diced onion
• Crushed tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Italian seasoning
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix everything together so all the flavors can start dancing and mingling.

Step 3: Let The Magic Happen

Cover your slow cooker and let it work its magic.

On low setting, let it cook for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

This slow cooking allows all those incredible flavors to blend and develop a rich, deep taste.

Step 4: Welcome Beans And Pasta

• Drained cannellini beans
• Drained red kidney beans
• Uncooked ditalini pasta

Stir them in and let everything cook until the pasta reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Step 5: Perfect The Seasoning

Take a quick taste and adjust the salt and pepper to make it just right.

Don’t forget to fish out those bay leaves before serving.

Step 6: Serve With Love

Ladle this hearty soup into bowls and watch your family’s faces light up.

It’s perfect for chilly nights or when you need some serious comfort food.

Tips For Slow Cooker Soup Success

• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and enhance the soup's overall flavor profile without making it too heavy.
• Rinse canned beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and starch, ensuring a cleaner taste and better texture in your soup.
• Add pasta only in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain the perfect al dente consistency.
• Crush dried Italian seasoning between your hands before adding to release more intense aromatics and boost the soup's flavor depth.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it an excellent meal prep option for busy weeknights.

Soup Swaps & Veggie Add-Ins

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a hearty meat-free version. Add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach for more nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap ditalini pasta with gluten-free rice pasta or quinoa. Ensure all broth and seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-safe meal.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Incorporate harissa paste or red pepper flakes for extra heat. Add smoked paprika and fresh herbs like oregano to elevate the flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Reduce beans and increase protein content with additional lean ground meat or chicken.

Plating Pasta e Fagioli For Family Meals

• Rustic Italian Feast: Pair with crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious broth and add a crunchy texture to your meal.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top just before serving to enhance the soup's rich flavors and add a salty kick.
• Hearty Side Kick: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's robust and filling nature, creating a complete and satisfying dinner experience.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley to brighten the dish, add a pop of color, and bring a fresh herbal note to the comforting soup.

Soup Storage For Next-Day Warmth

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Pasta e Fagioli?

This classic Italian soup originated in the rural regions of Italy as a peasant dish, designed to be hearty, nutritious, and made with affordable ingredients like beans and pasta.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains pasta. To make it gluten-free, you can substitute the ditalini pasta with gluten-free pasta or rice.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, replace the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

• How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

You can add additional protein by including cooked chicken, turkey, or even tofu cubes to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich and hearty pasta e fagioli soup simmers with Italian comfort in a slow cooker. Savory beans, tender pasta, and robust herbs create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly nights.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetables:

• 2 whole carrots, diced
• 4 celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 (28 ounce / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes

Pantry Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 (14.5 ounce / 411 grams) cans beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (15 ounce / 425 grams) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce / 425 grams) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup ditalini pasta (uncooked)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sear the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until deeply browned and completely cooked through, ensuring no pink remains. Transfer the caramelized meat to the slow cooker.
2. Add chopped carrots, celery, and onion to the slow cooker alongside the beef. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly mix all ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
3. Secure the slow cooker lid and simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to tenderize and develop rich, complex flavors.
4. Approximately 30 minutes before serving, incorporate drained cannellini and red kidney beans into the soup. Add uncooked ditalini pasta and continue cooking until pasta reaches al dente texture and beans are warmed completely.
5. Carefully taste the soup and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Remove bay leaves to prevent any potential bitter undertones.
6. Dish the steaming soup into individual serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced mix of meat, vegetables, beans, and pasta. Serve immediately for optimal warmth and flavor.

Notes

• Meat Selection Choose lean ground beef for a healthier version, or swap with ground turkey for a lighter alternative that keeps the soup’s rich flavor profile.
• Bean Preparation Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content and prevent any metallic taste from affecting the soup’s overall deliciousness.
• Pasta Texture Add pasta in the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain that perfect al dente consistency that makes this soup so satisfying.
• Dietary Adaptations Make this soup gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking that your broth is certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg