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Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli

Crock pot pasta fagioli simmers beef, beans, and vegetables in a tomato-rich broth until tender. Ditalini is cooked separately and stirred in just before serving for an al dente finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the soup
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 carrots medium, diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
For the pasta
  • 8 oz ditalini pasta
  • 4 qt water

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 6-quart slow cooker

Method
 

Make the soup
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef, until the beef reaches 160°F and the onion is softened, 7 to 9 minutes.
  2. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and add the carrots, celery, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
Cook the pasta and finish
  1. Near the end of the cooking time, bring the water to a boil in a large pot.
  2. Add the ditalini and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  3. Drain the pasta.
  4. Stir the cooked pasta into the soup just before serving.

Notes

For the best texture, cook the ditalini separately and stir it into the soup just before serving. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 to 4 days; freeze the soup without the pasta for best results. For a lighter option, ground turkey can replace the ground beef.