Imagine coming home to a rich, aromatic Italian soup that practically cooks itself - no culinary magic required! This Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli is your ticket to an effortless, mouth-watering meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for convenience, or someone craving authentic Italian comfort food, this recipe will become your new go-to meal that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup pasta
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Drain and rinse the cannellini beans, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
- In your slow cooker, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. This will allow them to soften and release their flavors as they cook.
- Next, add the drained cannellini beans and the can of diced tomatoes (including the juice) to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Pour in the 4 cups of vegetable broth. This will serve as the base for your soup and provide a rich flavor.
- Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the mixture. This blend of herbs will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount, as you can always adjust the seasoning later.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- After 4 hours, check the consistency of the soup. If it’s too thick for your liking, you can add a little more vegetable broth or water.
- Once the soup is at your desired consistency, stir in 1 cup of pasta. You can use any small pasta shape, such as ditalini or elbow macaroni.
- Cover the slow cooker again and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- After the pasta is cooked, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the Pasta Fagioli hot, garnished with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!
Tips
- Bean and Pasta Perfection: Rinse your cannellini beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve digestibility.
- Flavor Boosting Hack: For deeper flavor, consider sautéing the onions and garlic briefly before adding to the slow cooker.
- Pasta Timing Matters: Add pasta only in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain the right texture.
- Broth Brilliance: Use high-quality vegetable broth for a more robust flavor profile.
- Customization is Key: Feel free to add diced carrots or celery for extra nutrition and complexity.
- Storage Tip: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months - perfect for meal prep!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
