Pasta e Fagioli for Two Recipe
A hearty and comforting Italian classic, Pasta e Fagioli for Two combines crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and tender orzo pasta in a rich tomato and bean broth. This easy-to-make stovetop soup is perfect for a cozy meal and serves two generously.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 strips bacon, chopped
- ½ small onion, chopped
- ½ cup finely chopped carrot
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp. salt
Others
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 and ½ cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen beans (such as lima or soy)
- ⅓ cup dry orzo (or other small pasta)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Set a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes crisp. Remove all but 2 teaspoons of the bacon fat from the pot and discard the rest to control fat content.
- Sauté the vegetables and spices: Add the chopped onion and carrot to the remaining bacon fat in the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Then add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds to develop flavor.
- Add liquids and beans: Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock, frozen beans, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the dry orzo pasta. When the broth returns to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender, about 7-9 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- You can substitute frozen lima or soy beans with canned cannellini or kidney beans, rinsed and drained.
- The red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Orzo can be replaced with other small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the pasta brand used.
Keywords: Pasta e Fagioli, Italian soup, bacon pasta soup, bean soup, quick stovetop soup, orzo soup
Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/pasta-e-fagioli-for-two-recipe/
