Pasta Fazool Recipe

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to sauté the onions and garlic.

Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor.

Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic depth to the dish.

Chicken broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base of the soup.

Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and a rich tomato flavor.

Cannellini beans: Adds creaminess and protein to the dish.

Ditalini pasta: A small pasta that cooks quickly and adds texture.

Dried oregano: Adds a warm, slightly bitter herbal note.

Dried basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor.

Salt and pepper: Enhances and balances the flavors.

Grated parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, umami finish when served.

When sautéing the onion and garlic, make sure to cook them until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This ensures that the flavors are well-developed without becoming bitter. Additionally, when adding the ditalini pasta to the broth, stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This will help achieve a perfectly cooked pasta that is evenly distributed throughout the Pasta Fazool.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good alternative for a vegetarian version.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar texture and flavor.

• cannellini beans - Substitute with great northern beans: Great northern beans have a similar texture and mild flavor.

• ditalini pasta - Substitute with elbow macaroni: Elbow macaroni has a similar size and shape, making it a good alternative.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme offers a different but complementary herbal note.

• dried basil - Substitute with dried parsley: Dried parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used similarly.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly sharper taste.

• Allow the Pasta Fazool to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can lead to soggy pasta.
• Transfer the cooled soup to airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
• Label the containers with the date of preparation. This helps keep track of freshness and ensures you consume it within a safe timeframe.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the Pasta Fazool within 3-4 days. Ensure the temperature is set to 40°F (4°C) or below.
• For longer storage, place the airtight containers in the freezer. The Pasta Fazool can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of flavor or texture.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen Pasta Fazool in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the quality of the soup.
• Reheat the Pasta Fazool on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
• Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe bowl, cover it loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes, a pinch of salt or a dash of pepper can revive the flavors after storage.
• Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese just before serving to enhance the taste and presentation.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place your leftover Pasta Fazool in a saucepan.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help rehydrate the pasta and beans.
  3. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Serve hot, and don't forget to sprinkle some fresh grated parmesan cheese on top.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer your Pasta Fazool to a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a small amount of chicken broth or water to keep it from drying out.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
  6. Once heated, season with salt and pepper if needed, and top with grated parmesan cheese before serving.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place your Pasta Fazool in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a bit of chicken broth or water to keep the dish moist.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out.
  5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
  6. Remove from the oven, stir, and season with salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese.

• Large pot: Used to cook the entire dish, including sautéing the onions and garlic, and simmering the broth, tomatoes, beans, and pasta.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.

• Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, dried oregano, and dried basil accurately.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the chicken broth and ditalini pasta.

• Can opener: Required to open the cans of diced tomatoes and cannellini beans.

• Colander: Used to drain and rinse the cannellini beans before adding them to the pot.

• Grater: Needed for grating the parmesan cheese to be used as a topping.

• Ladle: Useful for serving the hot pasta fazool into bowls.

Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the onion and mince the garlic in advance to save time during cooking.

Use canned beans: Opt for canned cannellini beans instead of dried beans to cut down on preparation time.

Quick boil: Heat the chicken broth in a microwave before adding it to the pot to speed up the boiling process.

One-pot cooking: Cook the ditalini pasta directly in the soup to avoid using multiple pots and save on cleanup time.

Pre-measure spices: Measure out the dried oregano and dried basil before you start cooking to streamline the process.