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Close up of thick rich red tomato and beef broth densely packed with whole cannellini beans, diced carrots, and celery.

The Ultimate Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

Master this thick, hearty Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli at home! Featuring a rich tomato and beef broth densely packed with browned ground beef, tender ditalini pasta, and whole beans in a dutch oven.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American Italian, Italian
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef Browned and crumbled
  • 1 cup (115g) carrots Finely diced
  • 1 cup (115g) celery Finely diced
  • 1 cup (150g) yellow onion Diced
  • 1 tbsp (15g) garlic Minced
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil For sautéing
  • 28 oz (794g) crushed tomatoes Canned
  • 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste For deepening flavor
  • 4 cups (960ml) beef broth High quality
  • 15 oz (425g) cannellini beans Drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz (425g) dark red kidney beans Drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (115g) ditalini pasta Dry, to be cooked separately
  • 1/4 cup (15g) fresh green parsley Finely chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Large White Enamel Dutch Oven Essential for even heat distribution and building a flavorful fond.
  • 1 Wooden spoon Used for crumbling the ground beef and deglazing the pot.

Method
 

Cooking the Soup
  1. Heat olive oil in a large white enamel dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef, crumbling it into small pieces. Let it sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a deep golden-brown crust.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Stir constantly for 5-7 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until onions are translucent and carrots soften.
  3. Create a well in the center, add minced garlic and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  4. Boil a separate pot of salted water and cook ditalini pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to the dutch oven along with the rinsed cannellini and kidney beans. Simmer 5 more minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from heat and let it rest on a heat-safe surface for 5 minutes. Scatter finely chopped fresh green parsley across the surface before serving.

Notes

Pro Tip 1: Cook your ditalini pasta separately to prevent it from absorbing too much of the rich tomato broth.
Pro Tip 2: Always rinse your canned beans to remove excess starch and keep the broth flavors bright.