This is a pantry soup, and it stands or falls on four staples: the beans, the pasta, the tomatoes, and the oil. Cook the little pasta directly in the broth rather than separately. The starch it sheds thickens the liquid and pulls everything together into something creamy.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep15 min
Cook55 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineItalian
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for6servings
Borlotti or cranberry beans
Creamy dried beans that hold their shape in the broth.
Make the soffrittoSoften the finely diced onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in olive oil over medium until sweet, about 10 minutes.
Build the brothAdd the crushed tomatoes, the beans, the parmesan rind, and 5 cups water. Simmer 20 minutes so the flavors marry.
Cook the pasta inAdd the pasta straight into the soup and cook until al dente, 9 to 11 minutes. The starch it sheds is what makes the broth cling.
FinishPull the rind. Salt to taste, then serve with grated parmesan and a drizzle of raw olive oil. It thickens as it sits, so loosen with water when reheating.
Can you make Pasta e Fagioli in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Pasta e Fagioli? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Pasta e Fagioli ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Pasta e Fagioli gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
Is Pasta e Fagioli vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan
It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Community Notes
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