This soup is hearty, flavorful, and filled with tender pasta, savory ground beef, beans, and vegetables simmered in a tomato-based broth seasoned with Italian herbs. It’s the ultimate cozy dinner that tastes like it came straight from an Italian trattoria.
COPYCAT PASTA FAGIOLI SOUP RECIPE
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
40–45 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour
Servings:
6–8 bowls
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Copycat Pasta Fagioli Soup captures the same irresistible flavors as Olive Garden’s — rich, meaty, slightly tangy, and packed with textures from the beans, pasta, and vegetables.
You’ll love it because it’s:
- 🍅 Full of flavor: The broth simmers with Italian herbs, garlic, and tomato richness.
- 🥖 Hearty and filling: Pasta, beans, and beef make it a complete meal.
- 🧄 Easy to make: One pot, simple ingredients, big payoff.
- 🍷 Better the next day: The flavors deepen overnight, making it perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or Italian sausage for more flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can great northern or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup water (adjust for desired consistency)
For Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for depth of flavor)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity of tomatoes)
For the Pasta:
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or small elbow macaroni)
For Serving:
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley or basil
- Crusty Italian bread or garlic toast
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook until browned — about 6–8 minutes.
Use a spoon to break up the meat as it cooks.
Drain off excess fat if needed, then return the meat to the pot.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5–6 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
This aromatic base builds the foundation of flavor for the soup.
Step 3: Stir in the Tomato Ingredients
Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir to coat the vegetables and meat evenly.
Let the mixture cook for 2–3 minutes to allow the tomato paste to caramelize slightly — this deepens the flavor.
Step 4: Add the Beans and Broth
Pour in the beef broth, water, and both kinds of beans.
Add salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, crushed red pepper, and sugar.
Stir everything together and bring to a gentle boil.
Step 5: Simmer the Soup
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20–25 minutes.
During this time, the vegetables will become tender, and the flavors will blend into a rich, hearty broth.
Step 6: Cook the Pasta Separately
While the soup simmers, cook the ditalini pasta in a separate pot according to package directions until al dente.
Drain well and drizzle lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Why cook pasta separately?
Cooking it in the soup makes it too soft and absorbs too much broth. Adding it later keeps your soup thick but not mushy.
Step 7: Combine Pasta and Soup
Once the soup has simmered, stir in the cooked pasta.
Simmer for another 5–10 minutes uncovered, just until the soup thickens slightly and everything is heated through.
If the soup is too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
Step 8: Taste and Adjust Seasoning
Taste the soup and adjust with more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
Step 9: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with:
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- A sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil
- Optional drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
Serve hot with warm garlic bread, breadsticks, or Italian rolls for dipping.
Storage & Reheating Tips
To Store:
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.
To Freeze:
For best results, freeze the soup without pasta (it can get mushy when thawed). Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
To Reheat:
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat. Add extra broth or water if it thickens too much.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Pasta Fagioli
- Use ditalini pasta. It’s traditional and small enough to scoop easily with a spoon.
- Cook pasta separately. Keeps your soup from turning into stew as leftovers.
- Balance the acidity. A teaspoon of sugar or a splash of cream helps smooth out the tomatoes’ sharpness.
- Simmer gently. Letting the soup simmer slowly develops depth without overcooking the veggies.
- Make it vegetarian. Skip the beef and use vegetable broth for a lighter but equally delicious version.
- Add Parmesan rind. Drop one into the soup while simmering — it melts in and adds a rich umami flavor.
Variations
- Italian Sausage Version: Replace ground beef with spicy or sweet Italian sausage.
- Creamy Pasta Fagioli: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or evaporated milk for a velvety texture.
- Turkey or Chicken Version: Use ground turkey or shredded cooked chicken for a lighter twist.
- Vegetarian: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth and skip the meat.
- Spicy: Add more crushed red pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
(approximate, based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 365
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Total Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
SEO Keywords
copycat pasta fagioli soup, olive garden pasta fagioli, italian bean and pasta soup, hearty soup recipes, homemade pasta fagioli, one pot dinner, comfort food, easy italian soups, ground beef and bean soup, tomato pasta soup
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Copycat Pasta Fagioli Soup tastes just like the Olive Garden classic — maybe even better!
With its rich tomato base, hearty beans, tender pasta, and savory meat, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and Italian tradition. Whether you serve it with breadsticks or a sprinkle of Parmesan, it’s guaranteed to warm your heart and fill your table with smiles.
Perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or meal prepping for the week — this soup proves that simple ingredients can create truly unforgettable flavors.
Enjoy.