This Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipe brings the familiar comfort of a warm, hearty pasta bean soup straight to your own kitchen. I love how this copycat Olive Garden soup fills the whole house with rich aromas and cozy energy. The first time I made Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli from scratch, I felt surprised by how easy it came together. Each step builds flavor fast, and the mix of ground beef, tender pasta, and Italian white beans creates a one-pot comfort soup that keeps everyone happy at the table. In this article, we dive into the story, flavors, cooking tips, and ways to enjoy this incredible dish.
Why Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Holds So Many Memories
A Family Soup Night Tradition
My earliest memory of enjoying Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli comes from a chilly evening when my family wanted something warm, simple, and familiar. We often chose hearty pasta bean soup because it felt cozy and honest. When I finally tried making a copycat Olive Garden soup at home, I realized how much control I had over the depth of flavor. The pot simmered, the aroma grew, and every spoonful tasted like a nostalgic moment in a bowl. This dish became part of our weekly rhythm after that night.
Why This Soup Stands Out
This recipe brings together ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and beans in a way that feels balanced and satisfying. When you simmer everything together, the flavors come alive quickly. The pasta softens right in the pot, and the beans add a creamy texture that makes each bite more interesting. Even though many soups claim comfort, Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli delivers it naturally through simple ingredients and steady technique. Every time I make it, the feeling returns: warm kitchen, slow simmer, familiar comfort.
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Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli recipe is a restaurant-quality soup that’s simple to make at home. It’s loaded with rich flavors in an irresistibly warming beef, bean, and pasta base.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
3 sticks celery chopped finely
2 medium carrots peeled & chopped finely
4 cloves garlic minced
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can red kidney beans drained
1 (14 ounce) can cannellini beans or great northern beans drained
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
3/4 cup uncooked ditalini pasta
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Add the beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat until browned.
2. Stir in onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Cook 8–10 minutes.
3. Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, beans, broth, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered 15–20 minutes.
5. Add pasta and simmer until tender, about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
Sugar boosts the sweetness of canned tomatoes and adds a classic restaurant-style taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Building Bold Flavor in Your Copycat Olive Garden Soup
Layering Aromatics for Depth
When you start this copycat Olive Garden soup, the base begins with ground beef. Cooking it first brings a savory foundation, and adding onion, celery, carrots, and garlic creates immediate richness. These aromatics soften and release their natural sweetness, which balances the tomatoes and broth added later. This step matters because the soup relies on layers of flavor rather than complicated tricks.
The Tomato and Herb Balance
Once the vegetables soften, the tomatoes join the pot. Both crushed and diced tomatoes create body and texture. Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, and a small pinch of red pepper flakes guide the soup toward its traditional profile. A little sugar helps round out the acidity, and red wine vinegar brightens everything. As the Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli simmers, these herbs and spices blend into a deep, robust base that feels bold but comforting.
The Magic of Beans and Pasta in This Hearty Pasta Bean Soup
Choosing the Beans for Creaminess and Bite
A great bowl of hearty pasta bean soup depends on the right balance of texture. Kidney beans bring firmness, while cannellini beans add creamy softness. This duo makes the Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli feel complete. When both types simmer with the tomatoes and broth, they absorb flavor while keeping their shape. Italian white bean soup varieties often rely heavily on the beans alone, but here they join the pasta to form a more satisfying bite.
Pasta That Holds Up
Ditalini pasta works best because its small shape catches broth and vegetables in each spoonful. It cooks right in the pot, which allows the starch to thicken the soup naturally. If you prefer leftovers, cook the pasta separately to maintain firmness over the next few days. The result still celebrates the spirit of the classic dish.
One-Pot Comfort Soup Made Simple
Why One Pot Makes All the Difference
The best thing about this one-pot comfort soup is the simplicity. Everything blends in one sturdy pot, which makes the process fast and easy. From browning the beef to simmering the vegetables and cooking the pasta, each step flows smoothly. You build flavor without juggling multiple pans, and cleanup takes almost no time.
A Soup That Fits Every Season
Many people think hearty soups belong to winter only, but Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli tastes fantastic year-round. Spring dinners feel lighter with a smaller portion. Summer nights benefit from something wholesome without being heavy. Fall brings comfort and warmth, which this soup delivers naturally. No matter when you make it, the colors, textures, and aroma suit the moment.
Serving, Storing, and Personalizing Your Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
Ways to Serve for Maximum Enjoyment
Serve this Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli with grated parmesan, crusty bread, or a simple green salad. Each option pairs well with the soup’s bold flavor. The broth carries richness, so fresh toppings like herbs or a splash of extra vinegar brighten each bowl. The hearty pasta bean soup feels complete on its own, but a side dish adds variety without extra work.
Making It Your Own
This recipe offers endless flexibility. You can swap beef for turkey, adjust the spice level, or increase the vegetables for a lighter feel. If you want a thicker texture, simmer a little longer before adding the pasta. If you enjoy a more brothy experience, add extra stock. The recipe always returns to its signature taste: satisfying, full-flavored, and comforting.
FAQ
Can I freeze Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli?
Yes, but freeze it without the pasta. Add fresh cooked pasta when reheating to keep the best texture.
How do I keep the pasta from soaking up too much broth?
Cook the pasta separately and add it when serving. This preserves the broth and structure.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and replace the beef with extra beans or chopped mushrooms.
Does this soup taste like the restaurant version?
Yes. This copycat Olive Garden soup captures the same rich, tomato-forward flavor and satisfying combination of beef, beans, and pasta.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the beef first, then add everything except the pasta. Cook on low for 6 hours. Add pasta during the last 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli brings warmth, richness, and comfort to any table. This hearty pasta bean soup blends simple ingredients into a dish that fills your home with inviting aromas. It feels nostalgic, satisfying, and easy to enjoy on busy nights or slow weekends. The combination of beef, beans, pasta, and tomatoes creates a balanced copycat Olive Garden soup that tastes even better than the restaurant version when made fresh at home. With one pot, steady simmering, and a few pantry staples, you can create a bowl that feels familiar, flavorful, and full of comforting energy.
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