Pasta Fagiole

 

 This recipe was given to me by my Mother in Law. It's truly a simple and oh so comforting recipe that I had never had before. I had never ordered it for fear of the unknown. When she ordered it it smelled so delicious and I asked for a bite. I haven't looked back since! Yummo!

 

Ingredients

 

5 cups water

8 ounces dried Great Northern or Navy beans (about 1 & 1/4 cups) (you could really use what ever white bean you like) 

* to save time use canned beans and less sit/boil time is needed *

 

1 large onion, chopped

1 large tomato, chopped or 1 eight-ounce can tomato sauce

2 medium stalks celery, sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 pound salt pork chopped (or 1/4 to 1.2 pound cooked ham, chopped can be added with the salt pork)

2 teaspoons instant beef boullion

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup uncooked macaroni (shells, bows, or elbow)

Grated Parmesan cheese 

 

Process

 

 1. Heat water and beans in a dutch oven, until boiling. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour. 

 

2. Add onions, celery, tomato, garlic, salt pork, bouillon, salt and pepper to the beans. Heat to to boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beans are tender, about two hours. DO NOT BOIL as beans will burst. Skim fat if necessary. 

 

3. Stir macaroni into the soup. Cover and simmer until the macaroni is tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. 

 

4.  Sprinkle with cheese as you serve.  Accompany with more cheese for the table.