Hello and happy Monday to you! I've had quite a few of you ask about my pasta fagioli recipe after I showed this picture last week, so I thought I'd share the recipe again since I've changed it a bit since I last blogged about it, in 2011.
I don't follow a super strict recipe. This is a pretty forgiving soup so throw in what you have on hand or if there's something you don't like, leave it out and add in more of something else.
I start by throwing two large cans of diced tomatoes in a stock pot or dutch oven on high, along with 3 cans of beans. Whatever you have or like works, but this time around I did 1 can each of kidney beans, cannellinis and black beans. You could also use great northern, garbanzo, etc. While that is heating up, brown a pound of ground beef (groun turkey works too) and a chopped onion. When the meat is done, add it to the soup along with a couple chopped carrots and celery. You can also throw in some squash for more veggies. I also add in a couple chicken bouillon cubes and then parsley flakes, garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste. Simmer on medium/high heat until the carrots are soft. Also, add in some water to get the soup to your desired consistency. I like it plenty juicy so I add water. I also like making a big ole pot of soup so we'll have plenty of leftovers, so adding a bit of water will help with that.
In a separate pot, cook some pasta. I use fusilli or rotini or the like, but you can also use elbow noodles or macaroni or whatever you have on hand. When the pasta is done, I don't add it to the soup, or else it'll get soggy! I just put some pasta in a bowl and pour the soup over the top. When you store your leftovers, store the pasta separately so that it won't get soggy on you all week!!
Also, when you're heating up leftovers, it'll be really thickened up from how it was on day one, so I add some chicken stock (like you get in the box w/the pour lid on top) to make it soupy again. Not only will it help with the consistency, but it gives it a yummy rich flavor. And I do the same thing with the pasta leftovers -- heat it up separately and add it to the bowl and pour the soup over the top.
There's still tons of snow on the ground here, though it's supposed to be in the 60's by Friday! Windsor will be sad to see the snow go. Haha! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Have a goodie!
