Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Copycat

This Olive Garden pasta e fagioli copycat tastes just like the signature soup recipe we all know and love! Also known as 'pasta and beans,' it's a traditional Italian soup using mini pasta, sausage, and vegetables in a tomato-based broth. While it was popularized by the restaurant, it has been a staple in Italian kitchens for years!

Best Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe

Pasta e fagioli soup and a garden salad was my favorite lunch when I worked next to an Olive Garden in my twenties! I've only ever tried it from Olive Garden and homemade, and I have to say, the homemade version is everything I remember and more!

Jump to:

• Best Pasta e Fagioli Soup Recipe
• 🌎 Origin
• 🥘 Olive Garden's Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutes
• 🔪 How To Make Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Soup
• 🍽️ What To Serve With Pasta e Fagioli
• 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Notes
• 🥡 Storing & Reheating
• ❓ What's the Difference Between Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli Soup?
• ❓ What Kind of Pasta is Used in Pasta e Fagioli Soup?
• ❓Can I Substitute Another Protein For Italian Sausage In Pasta e Fagioli Soup?
• 🌭 😋 More Italian Sausage Recipes
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

🌎 Origin

Pasta e fagioli, which translates to "pasta and beans" in Italian, is a traditional Italian soup with humble beginnings. It was a simple and hearty dish made with inexpensive ingredients, making it an affordable and filling meal for peasants and farmers.

Over time, regional variations of pasta e fagioli emerged, but the staple ingredients of pasta, beans, and a flavorful broth have been consistent. Today, it is a beloved Italian classic enjoyed around the world, much in part to Olive Garden's popular recreation!

🥘 Olive Garden's Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutes

The magic of pasta e fagioli lies in its ingredients. The fusion of hearty beans, aromatic herbs, and al dente pasta creates a harmony of comforting flavors!

• Ditalini Pasta - 2 cups of ditalini pasta cooked per package instructions.
• Olive Oil - 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
• Italian Sausage - 1 pound of spicy or sweet, with casing removed.
• Onions - 1 medium diced yellow or white onion.
• Celery - 2 ribs of celery rinsed and chopped or a celery substitute.
• Carrots - 3 medium carrots rinsed and chopped.
• Italian Seasoning - 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning (see my recipe to make your own).
• Basil - 1 teaspoon of dried basil or a basil substitute.
• Thyme - 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, rosemary, or marjoram.
• Red Pepper Flakes - 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
• Salt & Pepper - Salt & pepper to taste.
• Diced Tomatoes - A 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes,
• Tomato Paste - 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
• Tomato Sauce - A 15-ounce can of tomato sauce.
• Chicken Broth - 3 cups of chicken broth (or stock).
• Beef Broth - 3 cups of beef broth (or stock).
• Kidney Beans - A 15-ounce can of red kidney beans
• Cannellini Beans - A 15-ounce can of cannellini beans (you can substitute Great Northern beans or other white bean varieties).
• Garnish (optional) - Parmesan cheese, Italian flat-leaf parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra virgin olive oil to taste.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Copycat Soup

This soup is super fast and easy to make and like most Italian dishes the ingredients are affordable and very versatile! To get started, grab a stockpot or Dutch oven, your measuring utensils, and a wooden spoon (and probably a can opener)!

This recipe serves 8 hearty portions of soup and the leftovers are something we always look forward to!

Cook The Sausage & Veggies

Step 1: Heat a stockpot or Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons (29.6 milliliters) of olive oil, and heat until shimmering.

Step 2: Cook the sausage. Add 1 pound (453.6 grams) of Italian sausage and allow to cook for about 1 minute, then break apart into small chunks. Continue to cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add the mirepoix. Add 1 diced medium onion (150 grams), 3 medium diced carrots (200 grams), 2 diced ribs of celery (60 grams), and 1 tablespoon of garlic, and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Add Tomatoes & Season

Step 4: Season. Add 1 tablespoon (7.5 grams) of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon (1.5 grams) of basil, 1 teaspoon (1.5 grams) of thyme, and 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of red pepper flakes to the pot and stir. Followed by, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of tomato paste, and 3 cups (720 milliliters) each of chicken broth and beef broth, then stir again to combine.

Step 5: Add tomatoes and sauce. Add a 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes and a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce, then stir. Season with salt and pepper (to taste).

Simmer & Serve

Step 6: Add beans. Add the 15-ounce can of cannellini and 15-ounce can of red kidney beans, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7: Add pasta. Remove from heat and add 2 cups (280 grams) of cooked pasta to your soup directly, or portion into serving bowls with the Pasta e Fagioli soup served over the cooked noodles.

Step 8: Garnish and serve. Top your soup with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for an authentic Italian touch! You could also sprinkle on some red chili flakes for a kick or add a drizzle of high-quality olive oil for richness. Serve while hot.

🍽️ What To Serve With Pasta e Fagioli

Enjoy your homemade pasta e fagioli with my tasty homemade garlic bread or even some easy air fryer garlic bread! A Caesar salad or Caprese salad would make a fabulous light appetizer before a hearty bowl of soup.

If you're looking to beef up the meal a bit, try a caprese flatbread or some crispy cheese croquettes. You could even serve it in a homemade bread bowl!

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Notes

• If you plan to make a large batch and store the leftovers, wait to add the noodles to the soup. Otherwise, the noodles will be completely soggy when reheated.
• A great substitute for Ditalini pasta is normal elbow macaroni, the name Ditalini pasta actually means "little elbows" in Italian.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, try mashing some beans before adding them. This not only thickens the soup but also intensifies the bean flavor!

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Once your soup has cooled, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.

Freezing Pasta e Fagioli

You can freeze the soup base (without the noodles) for up to 3 months. Transfer it to an airtight container, or flash freeze it in a Ziploc freezer bag lying flat on a baking sheet for easy storage.

Reheating Pasta e Fagioli

Reheat leftovers in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed to your satisfaction. Individual portions can be microwaved.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ What's the Difference Between Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli Soup?

Minestrone soup is traditionally made with mostly vegetables. It is one of those soups meant to use up foods that were on hand or going bad.

It's a very fluid recipe, meaning you can add almost anything to it as far as vegetables go. Pasta e Fagioli is made using pasta and beans and usually has Italian sausage (and sometimes ground beef) as an ingredient.

❓ What Kind of Pasta is Used in Pasta e Fagioli Soup?

Traditionally (and as seen at the Olive Garden restaurant), small pasta such as ditalini, the tiny short tubes seen here. Other pasta, such as orecchiette, pipettes, elbow noodles, mini farfalle or mini shells, and even orzo can also be used.

❓Can I Substitute Another Protein For Italian Sausage In Pasta e Fagioli Soup?

Italian sausage is the authentic choice, but that's not to say you can't make your own substitutions! You could try ground beef, turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute (with vegetable broth) for a vegetarian version.

🌭 😋 More Italian Sausage Recipes

• Air Fryer Italian Sausage - A quick and easy way to perfectly cook Italian sausages!
• Baked Italian Sausage - My favorite way to prepare juicy Italian sausages for making sausage dogs or to add to other recipes!
• Italian Sausage Bake - Tender pasta, juicy sausages, and roasted veggies in one delicious casserole!
• Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole - Spaghetti night just got even better with this tasty spaghetti casserole featuring a meaty pasta sauce!
• Smoked Italian Sausages - The sausages absorb all of the wonderful flavor from the smoker!
• Baked Rigatoni - Melted cheese, al dente rigatoni pasta, and savory Italian sausage, what's not to love?

*Have you tried giving a unique twist to your Pasta e Fagioli? Maybe a special herb or a secret ingredient? Share your results in the comments below and tag BIWL on Instagram #bake_it_with_love!

📖 Recipe Card