Easy & Cozy Jamie Oliver Pasta Fagioli Recipe for Dinner Magic

In the world of hearty comfort food, pasta fagioli stands as a delightful Italian classic that warms both body and soul.

This rustic recipe transforms simple ingredients into a robust meal bursting with flavor and nutrition.

Rich ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that comfort even the weariest palate.

Beans and pasta intertwine seamlessly, offering a protein-packed culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Hearty vegetables add depth and complexity to this traditional preparation, making each spoonful a journey through classic Italian countryside cooking.

The harmonious blend of ingredients ensures a satisfying meal that feels both nourishing and indulgent.

Gather your ingredients and prepare for a delicious adventure that promises to tantalize your taste buds: bon appétit!

Why Everyone Loves Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This pasta fagioli delivers a soul-warming Italian classic packed with rich, robust flavors that hug your taste buds like a cozy blanket on a chilly evening.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: Requiring just 55 minutes and simple ingredients, this one-pot wonder transforms basic pantry staples into a nutritious meal that's perfect for busy families seeking delicious, hassle-free dinner solutions.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition Boost: Loaded with ground beef, kidney beans, and great northern beans, this recipe provides a substantial protein punch while keeping calories moderate at only 225 kcal per serving, making it an excellent balanced meal option.
• Authentic Flavor Symphony: Expertly blended herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and marjoram create a complex, traditional Italian taste profile that transports your palate straight to a rustic countryside kitchen.

Essential Must-Haves: Ingredients for Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base that adds rich flavor and substance to the dish.
• Kidney Beans, Great Northern Beans: Creamy legumes that provide extra protein and texture.

• Celery, Carrots, Onions: Classic mirepoix blend that creates a deep, savory flavor foundation.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds robust depth to the soup.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright, final garnish and color.

• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid base that adds depth to the soup.
• Tomato Sauce, Canned Tomatoes: Provide rich, tangy tomato flavor and thickness.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste.
• Sugar: Balances acidity of tomatoes.
• Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram: Dried herbs that create classic Italian herb profile.
• Ditalani Pasta: Small pasta shape that fits perfectly in soup.
• Parmesan or Romano Cheese: Optional finishing cheese for extra richness and flavor.

How to Cook Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

Step 1: Sizzle the Ground Beef

Crumble ground beef into a large pot with olive oil. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is completely browned (about 6-8 minutes).

Step 2: Prepare the Beef

Remove excess fat from the beef and transfer to a separate plate. Keep the same pot ready for the next steps.

Step 3: Saute Vegetable Base

• Celery stalks, chopped
• Carrots, diced
• Onion, chopped

Cook for 6 minutes over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 additional minute.

Step 4: Build the Soup Flavor

• Chicken broth
• Tomato sauce
• Water
• Diced tomatoes
• Sugar
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Dried thyme
• Dried marjoram

Step 5: Simmer the Soup

Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables become tender.

Step 6: Cook the Pasta

Meanwhile, cook ditalini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 7: Combine Beans and Pasta

• Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• Cooked ditalini pasta

Adjust liquid by adding more broth if needed.

Step 8: Final Touch

Cook for 1 additional minute. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top.

Chef’s Recommendations for the Perfect Pasta Fagioli

• Preserve Pasta Perfection: Cook ditalini separately to prevent mushiness and maintain ideal texture.
• Elevate Flavor Dynamics: Select premium lean beef and vibrant fresh herbs for robust taste complexity.
• Customize Seasoning Harmony: Fine-tune sugar, salt, and pepper levels to create a balanced culinary experience.
• Streamline Kitchen Workflow: Pre-chop vegetables during downtime to accelerate overall meal preparation.
• Finish with Finesse: Sprinkle fresh parsley and grated Parmesan to transform the dish with bright, aromatic notes.

Prolonging Freshness: Storing Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

• Vacuum Seal: Pack leftover pasta fagioli in vacuum-sealed bags to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor intensity. Remove excess air completely before sealing to preserve texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Mason Jar Method: Transfer cooled pasta fagioli into wide-mouth glass mason jars for efficient storage. Leave about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing, which prevents cracking and ensures airtight preservation.
• Single-Portion Containers: Divide pasta fagioli into individual serving-sized containers for convenient grab-and-go meals. Use leak-proof, microwave-safe containers with secure lids to keep ingredients fresh and make reheating quick and easy.

Alternate Takes on Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

• Vegetarian Comfort: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu or tempeh, maintaining the rich, hearty texture while creating a meatless version packed with nutrients.
• Spicy Mediterranean Edition: Enhance the flavor profile by adding red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and a splash of red wine for a bolder, more intense taste experience that transports you to southern European kitchens.
• Autumn Harvest Remix: Incorporate seasonal vegetables like butternut squash, kale, and roasted pumpkin seeds to transform the classic recipe into a warming, nutrient-dense meal perfect for cooler months.
• Gluten-Free Wellness Bowl: Swap ditalani pasta with quinoa or cauliflower rice, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this comforting soup without compromising on flavor or texture.

Closing Chapter: Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Fagioli

Pasta fagioli embodies rustic Italian comfort, blending hearty ingredients into soul-warming magic.

Mediterranean traditions dance through each spoonful of this classic recipe.

Rich protein and tender vegetables create a symphony of flavors that whisper home cooking’s deepest secrets.

Jamie Oliver’s approach transforms simple ingredients into culinary poetry, connecting generations through shared meals.

Complex layers of herbs and beans offer a delicious narrative of Italian countryside kitchens.

When passionate cooks explore this recipe, culinary memories bloom – so share this treasure, spread delightful inspiration across social networks, and let more kitchen adventurers discover pasta fagioli’s magnificent charm.

Jamie Oliver Pasta Fagioli Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s pasta fagioli brings rustic Italian countryside comfort to your kitchen. Hearty beans, savory pancetta, and perfectly al dente pasta mingle in a rich tomato broth that warms souls and satisfies hunger with Mediterranean charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) lean ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Liquid, Seasoning, and Pasta Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup water, then more as desired
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta
• Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil in a large pot and thoroughly break down ground beef, cooking over medium-high heat until completely browned and no pink remains.
2. Transfer cooked beef to a clean plate, draining excess fat, and keep the pot ready for the next step.
3. Add another tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil to the same pot and sauté diced celery, carrots, and onions for approximately 5-6 minutes until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
5. Reintroduce the cooked ground beef to the pot and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, canned tomatoes, sugar, and dried herbs including basil, oregano, thyme, and marjoram, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 18-22 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender.
8. While soup simmers, cook ditalani pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions until al dente, then drain completely.
9. Add kidney beans and great northern beans to the soup, then gently fold in the cooked pasta, adjusting liquid consistency with additional broth if needed.
10. Warm through for an additional 1-2 minutes, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve hot with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top.

Notes

• Chopping ingredients beforehand saves precious minutes during meal preparation.
• Taste testing helps fine-tune seasonings for a perfectly balanced dish.
• Premium beef and just-picked herbs elevate the overall soup’s depth and richness.
• Cooking pasta separately prevents mushiness and ensures ideal al dente texture.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for a restaurant-quality presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg