Description

This Crockpot Pasta Fagioli is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired soup featuring ground beef, a medley of beans, tender pasta, and flavorful herbs slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a cozy gathering, it combines rich beef broth with tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and fresh garnishes for a delicious, warming dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Beans and Tomatoes

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed

Liquids and Pasta

4 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked small pasta (ditalini, elbow macaroni, or rotini)

Seasonings and Garnishes

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, cooking and breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Drain any excess fat and transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
Add the remaining ingredients: To the slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes with their juices, red kidney beans, white beans, beef broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
Cook the soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld deeply.
Add the pasta: About 20-30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked pasta. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender, which should take about 20-30 minutes.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.

Notes

Be sure to drain and rinse the canned beans to reduce sodium content and improve flavor.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a leaner meat option.
If you want to make this vegetarian, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Adjust seasoning to taste; adding crushed red pepper flakes can add a nice kick.
To save time, you can brown the beef and sauté vegetables the night before and store in the refrigerator.