Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli is a hearty Italian soup made with ground beef, beans, pasta, vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth. This slow cooker soup recipe is easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and comforting homemade meals. A budget-friendly copycat recipe inspired by the popular restaurant version, it pairs well with breadsticks, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad for a complete Italian-style dinner.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (26 oz) container beef stock (or about 3 cups)
1 (25 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp black pepper
½ tbsp salt
1 cup ditalini pasta (or small pasta of choice)

Instructions

In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to a slow cooker.
Add onion, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, beef stock, spaghetti sauce, oregano, parsley, black pepper, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, add the ditalini pasta and stir well. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender.
Serve warm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This hearty Italian-inspired soup is packed with ground beef, beans, vegetables, and pasta in a rich tomato broth. It’s a comforting slow cooker meal that is simple to prepare, budget-friendly, and ideal for family dinners or meal prep.

Tips

Brown the beef first for deeper flavor.
Add pasta near the end to prevent it from becoming too soft.
Chop vegetables evenly so they cook uniformly.
Stir occasionally if cooking on high heat to avoid sticking.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Use vegetable broth instead of beef stock for a lighter version.
Add spinach or kale for extra greens.
Replace ditalini with elbow macaroni or small shells.
Add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it reheats well and tastes even better the next day.

Can I freeze Pasta e Fagioli?
Yes, but for best texture, freeze it without the pasta and add fresh pasta when reheating.

Can I cook it on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, simmer everything in a large pot for about 45–60 minutes.

Why is my soup too thick?
Add a bit more beef stock or water to reach your preferred consistency.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with crusty bread, breadsticks, or a side salad. It pairs well with Parmesan cheese on top and a drizzle of olive oil. Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and cold-weather comfort meals.