Pasta e Fagioli

Serves eight.

Yields 16 cups.

To learn more, read:
Soup Suppers
by Lori Longbotham
from Fine Cooking
Issue 96
Last Edit Date: 5/16/2011 2:45:24 PM

This Italian soup–which has as many variations as there are cooks—is chock full of pasta, beans, and vegetables, making it a hearty one-dish meal.

more about:

8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
3 medium red onions, finely chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
2 quarts lower-salt chicken broth
Two 15-1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
14-1/2-oz. can petite-cut diced tomatoes
4 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
3 medium celery ribs with leaves, thinly sliced crosswise
1 slender 3-inch cinnamon stick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup tubettini (or other small pasta)
1-1/2 tsp. red-wine vinegar; more to taste
Grated or shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano for garnish

In a 6-quart (or larger) Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until partially crisp, about 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add the onions to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits and stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, chickpeas, tomatoes and their juices, carrots, celery, cinnamon stick, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over high heat; skim any foam as necessary. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots and celery are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the tubettini according to the package directions and drain.

Discard the cinnamon stick and add the pasta. Stir in the bacon and vinegar. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more vinegar. Serve garnished with the Parmigiano-Reggiano.

You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 370; Fat (g): 7; Fat Calories (kcal): 70; Saturated Fat (g): 1.5; Protein (g): 21; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 2.5; Carbohydrates (g): 59; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): 720; Cholesterol (mg): 5; Fiber (g): 11;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by grlup, 2/13/2013The first time I made this I was underwhelmed. It seemed to be missing something. The second time I made it I added a sprig of thyme, a bay leaf and some red pepper flakes along with the garlic & rosemary. That seemed to perk it up. A good hearty soup.

by Auralyn, 6/14/2012Easy to make and very nice-tasting. A good soup overall, even if it did not completely blow me away.

by boopietta, 3/15/2010This was an easy, yummy soup. I did use white beans instead of the chick peas because I had them on hand. The cinnamon gave it a really nice flavor, as did the bacon. Definitely a winner. I will make it again.

by minerva, 1/24/2010This is an excellent soup and now a regular at my house. It helped us through the ice strom and four days without out electricity. We named it the "grill soup" after that.

by Applemetoast, 11/5/2009

by jamc379, 10/13/2009This is a hearty, flavorful soup. The only change I made was using quinoa pasta to make it healthier and add a little more protein. I served this with the mini baguette recipe on here. Simply delish!

by lisamcohen, 1/24/2009The cinnamon made this taste unbelievably good! And I love the chickpeas instead of other white beans. This is definitely a keeper and a favorite in my book.

by annglin, 1/19/2009This looks like a great northern Italian standard. Perhaps it should be titled Pasta e Cecci as it uses chickpeas and not fagioli. However, using either chickpeas, cecci or beans fagioli the recipe is the same and both are excellent.

by vivaepicurea, 1/12/2009

by scarbrey33, 12/18/2008

by baskin, 11/16/2008Perfect on a cold day. Good comfort food.