Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli Recipe

This hearty, comforting Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli is made with spicy Italian sausage, tender beans, and ready in 60 minutes. The magic happens when the ditalini pasta releases its starch, naturally thickening the rich tomato broth into a thick, stew-like consistency. I love making a large pot on Sunday for easy lunches all week.

Why This Classic Works

I used to find bean soups slightly watery and lacking depth, but this version completely changed my mind. The combination of both bacon and Italian sausage builds an incredible savory foundation.

The real trick I learned is letting the pasta cook directly in the broth rather than boiling it separately. It forces the soup to thicken naturally, though you do have to stir often to prevent sticking.

Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli Ingredients

• 1 lb mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 cup ditalini pasta
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How To Make Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli

1. Brown the meats: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and bacon until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about two tablespoons in the pot.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 more minute.
3. Simmer the soup: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
4. Cook the pasta: Stir in the ditalini pasta. Continue to simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and the broth has thickened.
5. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Ladle into warm bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Stir the pasta: Once you add the ditalini, you must stir the pot every few minutes. The pasta starch will quickly sink and stick to the bottom if ignored.
• Adjust the liquid: The pasta absorbs a lot of broth as it sits. Keep extra chicken broth on hand to thin out the soup when reheating leftovers.
• Use the right meat: Choose bulk Italian sausage without casings for easier browning. Hot sausage adds a great kick if you prefer spicy soups.

What To Serve With Italian Pasta Fagioli

This hearty soup needs a robust side to soak up the thick tomato broth. Serve it with thick slices of garlic bread or a crusty sourdough loaf. A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the sausage.

How To Store

Keep cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to swell, so you will need to add a splash of water or broth when reheating on the stove. Freezing is not recommended because the pasta becomes mushy when thawed.

FAQs

Can I cook the pasta separately?

Yes, you can boil the ditalini in a separate pot and add it to individual bowls. This is actually the best method if you plan on having lots of leftovers.

What can I use instead of ditalini?

Any small pasta shape works well. Try small macaroni, small shells, or tubetti if you cannot find ditalini.

Can I make this vegetarian?

You can omit the sausage and bacon, substituting with extra beans and using vegetable broth. You will want to add a dash of smoked paprika to replace the smoky meat flavor.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 1120mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 42g
• Protein: 24g

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Italian Chicken Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Puttanesca
• Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Frittata

Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli

Recipe by PaulaCourse: SoupsCuisine: Italian

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

Hearty, comforting Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Fagioli made with spicy Italian sausage, tender beans, and ditalini pasta in 60 minutes. A thick and savory one-pot meal that easily feeds a hungry crowd on a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1 lb mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 2 large carrots, diced

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

• 1 cup ditalini pasta

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

• Brown the meats: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and bacon until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about two tablespoons in the pot.
• Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 more minute.
• Simmer the soup: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Cook the pasta: Stir in the ditalini pasta. Continue to simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and the broth has thickened.
• Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Ladle into warm bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.