|
Call it what you will; Pasta Fazool, Pasta Fazoola, Pasta e Fagiolo, Pasta Fagioli, but the Italian soup immortalized in the Dean Martin song “That’s Amore” with the lyrics “When the stars makes you drool, just-a like pasta fazool, that’s amore” is a simple to make and an extremely flavorful Italian peasant soup of pasta and beans.
My first memory of Pasta Fazool was a winter afternoon when I was a child doing my homework on a Sunday afternoon at the kitchen table. Mom served me a bowl of Pasta Fazool and I was hooked. The soup is simple, yet is so flavorful and my mother’s version is so light that it is difficult to stop at one bowl. I am willing the wager that in every Italian kitchen whether in Italy or the United States, whether at home or in a restaurant, there is a different version of this soup. The soup can be thin or hearty, with or without tomatoes, meat broth or vegetable, it really does not matter. The pasta and bean soup is just a simple, easy to make Italian peasant recipe that is the perfect dish any time of the year.
This hearty Italian staple comes together in no time.
TOTAL TIME: 0:20
PREP: 0:20
LEVEL: EASY
SERVES: 6
INGREDIENTS
· 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
· 1/2 lb. spicy (or sweet) Italian sausage
· 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
· 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
· 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· kosher salt
· Freshly ground black pepper
· 2 15-oz. cans Great Northern Beans
· 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
· 1 32-oz. box chicken broth
· 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped
· 1 1/2 c. Ditalini pasta (or other small shape)
· Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish
· Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large, deep pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in onion, carrots, and celery and cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper, then add in beans (with their liquid), diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then stir in the Ditalini.
3. Reduce heat to medium and cook until pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
4. Serve in bowls garnished with Parmesan and parsley.
|
