Here’s a detailed article on making Hearty Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli, a classic Italian comfort meal that’s easy, nutritious, and bursting with flavor.

🍲 Hearty Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli: A Complete Comfort Meal

When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing more satisfying than a warm, hearty bowl of Pasta e Fagioli. This classic Italian soup, meaning “pasta and beans,” is a rich and nutritious dish made with simple pantry staples. By using a slow cooker, you can let the flavors meld together effortlessly while going about your day.

With tender beans, pasta, and a deeply flavorful tomato broth, this one-pot meal is not only delicious but also filling and budget-friendly. Let’s dive into how to make it step by step!

🍅 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Easy to Make – Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work!
✔ Nutritious & Filling – Packed with protein, fiber, and wholesome ingredients.
✔ Budget-Friendly – Uses pantry staples like beans, pasta, and canned tomatoes.
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day!

📝 Ingredients

For this slow cooker Pasta e Fagioli, you’ll need:

Base Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil (for extra richness)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Broth & Seasoning:

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Salt & black pepper to taste

Beans & Pasta:

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
¾ cup ditalini pasta (or any small pasta like elbow or small shells)

Optional Add-ins:

1 pound ground Italian sausage or beef (for a meaty version)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

🍲 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics (Optional but Recommended)

For extra depth of flavor:

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until softened (about 5 minutes).
Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
If using ground Italian sausage or beef, cook it now until browned.

💡 Tip: Sautéing these ingredients before adding them to the slow cooker enhances the flavor, but you can skip this step if you’re short on time!

Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

Transfer the sautéed veggies (and cooked meat, if using) to the slow cooker.
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings.
Stir in the kidney beans and cannellini beans.

💡 Tip: If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the beans before adding them!

Please Head On keep on Reading (>) for the FULL ARTICLE: