Description
This hearty Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup blends ground beef, beans, vegetables, and pasta into a comforting Italian-inspired stew packed with flavor and nutrients. Slow-cooked to perfection, this soup offers a rich and warming meal that’s perfect for busy days or cozy dinners. Topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, it delivers authentic taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Beans and Tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened and fragrant.
- Transfer to Crock Pot: Carefully transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into the slow cooker insert.
- Add Beans and Liquids: Add the drained kidney beans, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the crock pot. Stir in Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to fully cook.
- Add Pasta: Approximately 20 minutes before serving, stir the ditalini pasta into the crock pot. Cover and continue to cook until the pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes more.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- To prevent pasta from getting mushy when storing leftovers, cook pasta separately and add to each serving bowl just before eating.
- Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be used as substitutes for ground beef for different flavors.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens and nutrition.
