Print

Cozy Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy, hearty bean and sausage soup that mimics the popular restaurant version using a unique blending technique for thickness without heavy cream or roux.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced small
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if sausage is lean)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup ditalini pasta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic and set aside.
  2. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil if needed. Crumble in the Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, and oregano. Cook for 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and add the rinsed beans. Stir to scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to a simmer. Use an immersion blender to puree about half of the soup directly in the pot, leaving some whole beans for texture.
  7. Add ditalini pasta to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
  8. Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If the soup becomes too thick upon reheating, thin it with extra broth or water. For best leftovers, cook pasta separately or freeze the soup base without pasta. The blending step is crucial for achieving the signature creamy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Olive Garden copycat, pasta e fagioli, bean soup, Italian sausage soup, comfort food, 30 minute meals, creamy bean soup

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/cozy-copycat-olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup-easy-30-minute-recipe/