Description
A hearty and comforting Italian-style soup inspired by Olive Garden, loaded with ground beef, beans, vegetables, and ditalini pasta in a savory tomato broth. Perfect for chilly nights or meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
3 cups beef broth
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup ditalini pasta, uncooked
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
2. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
4. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
5. While the soup simmers, cook the ditalini pasta separately according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. Add red kidney beans and great northern beans to the soup. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
7. Just before serving, stir in the cooked pasta or add it to individual bowls to avoid sogginess.
8. Serve hot with grated Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Keep the pasta separate from the soup if storing to prevent sogginess.
For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
Freeze the soup without the pasta for best texture during reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Pasta e Fagioli, Olive Garden copycat, soup recipe, hearty soup, comfort food