Pasta e Fagioli 2: A Hearty and Flavorful Italian Soup

Pasta e fagioli, meaning "pasta and beans" in Italian, is a classic and comforting soup dish popular in many regions of Italy. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a starter, main course, or side dish.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup dried beans (cannellini or kidney beans) - 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth - 1 onion, chopped - 2 carrots, chopped - 2 celery stalks, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned) - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 bay leaf - 8 ounces pasta (short shapes like ditalini or orecchiette) - Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the beans and soak them in cold water overnight or for at least 8 hours. 2. Drain and rinse the beans. 3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the broth over medium heat. 4. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the broth and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 5. Add the tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. 6. Add the beans to the pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. 7. Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the package directions. 8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. 9. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or parsley, if desired.

Tips:

- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken or vegetable broth. - If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can use canned beans instead. - To make the soup thicker, mash some of the beans with a fork or potato masher before adding the pasta. - For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and omit the Parmesan cheese. - You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach. - Leftover pasta e fagioli can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat over medium heat before serving. Pasta e fagioli is a delicious and versatile soup that is perfect for a comforting meal. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful Italian dish, give pasta e fagioli a try!