Hearty Italian Pasta e Fagioli with Parmesan Crisps

Name: Hearty Italian Pasta e Fagioli with Parmesan Crisps
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Olive Oil; Onion; Garlic; Carrots; Celery; Dried Oregano; Dried Basil; Crushed Tomatoes; Chicken or Vegetable Broth; Cannellini Beans; Red Kidney Beans; Ditalini Pasta; Salt and Pepper; Parmesan Cheese; Ground Black Pepper

A savory bean and pasta soup perfect for cozy nights

This classic Italian dish brings comfort with its rich flavors of herbs, tomatoes, beans, and pasta, accompanied by homemade crispy parmesan bites.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Soup

Olive Oil

3 tablespoons

Onion

1 large, chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Carrots

2, diced

Celery

2 stalks, diced

Dried Oregano

1 teaspoon

Dried Basil

1 teaspoon

Crushed Tomatoes

1 (14 oz) can

Chicken or Vegetable Broth

4 cups

Cannellini Beans

1 (15 oz) can, drained and rinsed

Red Kidney Beans

1 (15 oz) can, drained and rinsed

Ditalini Pasta

1 cup

Salt and Pepper

to taste

For the Parmesan Crisps

Parmesan Cheese

1 cup, grated

Ground Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon

Preparation

Preparing the Soup Base

Heat oil

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté vegetables

Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.

Do not burn the garlic as it could make the soup bitter.

Add herbs

Stir in oregano and basil, cooking until fragrant.

Preparing the Parmesan Crisps

Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare baking sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Form crisps

Place tablespoon-sized heaps of parmesan onto the sheet, leaving space between. Sprinkle with black pepper.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for crisps instead of pre-packaged for better melting and flavor.

Cooking Process

Simmer the Soup

Add crushed tomatoes and broth to the pot, bringing to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add Beans and Pasta

Stir in beans, then add pasta. Continue to cook for another 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.

Bake the Crisps

Bake Parmesan mounds in preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Plating & Serving