Crock Pot Pasta E Fagioli
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Description:
This Crock Pot Pasta E Fagioli recipe is a perfect blend of comfort and flavor, drawing inspiration from Olive Gardenโs classic but made lighter. It’s easy to prepare, filling, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Loaded with tender beans, savory beef, and aromatic herbs, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for meal prepping ahead of a busy week. The slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld together, while the addition of elbow macaroni just before serving gives the soup a hearty finish.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Garlic clove, minced | 4 cloves |
| Ground cumin | 1/4 tsp |
| Diced tomatoes, canned | 1 can (14.5 oz) |
| Beef broth | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Carrot, diced | 1 large |
| Celery stalks, diced | 1 stalk |
| Red kidney beans, drained & rinsed | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Navy beans, drained & rinsed | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Great northern beans, drained & rinsed | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Oregano (dried) | 1 tsp |
| Basil (dried) | 1 tsp |
| Thyme (dried) | 1 tsp |
| Elbow macaroni (uncooked) | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 199.1 kcal |
| Total Fat | 3.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 18.4 mg |
| Sodium | 303.5 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28.7 g |
| Fiber | 6.5 g |
| Sugars | 4.4 g |
| Protein | 13.2 g |
Instructions
-
Prepare the Ingredients:
Begin by heating a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray (such as Pam) to avoid sticking. -
Sautรฉ the Vegetables and Meat:
Add the diced onion to the pan and sautรฉ for about 1 minute until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing the fragrance to release. Then, add the ground sirloin beef to the pan. Season the mixture with ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until itโs fully browned and cooked through. -
Transfer to the Crock Pot:
Once the beef mixture is ready, transfer it to your Crock Pot. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the elbow macaroni) to the slow cooker: diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, carrot, celery, red kidney beans, navy beans, great northern beans, oregano, basil, and thyme. -
Slow Cook:
Stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Set the Crock Pot to low and cook for 8โ10 hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the vegetables to become tender. -
Finish with Pasta:
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Allow it to cook in the hot soup, becoming tender and absorbing some of the delicious broth. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Once the pasta is cooked, give everything a final stir. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.
Tips:
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more herbs or salt if desired.
- To make this dish even lighter, opt for ground turkey instead of beef, or use a lower-sodium broth.
- You can also add a handful of spinach or kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an extra dose of greens.
This comforting Crock Pot Pasta E Fagioli will surely become a family favorite, perfect for colder months or when you need a simple, delicious meal to feed a crowd. Enjoy the satisfying combination of tender beans, vegetables, and pasta in a rich broth!
