Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli)

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings

Description

This pasta fazool recipe is Chef John's version of the classic Italian comfort food dish made with sweet Italian sausage, white beans, and pasta.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces sweet bulk Italian sausage
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3/4 cup dry elbow macaroni
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cups chicken broth, or more as needed, divided
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 cups chopped Swiss chard
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus additional for serving, or to taste

Directions

1 Gather the ingredients.
2 Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced celery and chopped onion. Cook until onions are translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add dry pasta; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
3 Stir in tomato paste until evenly distributed, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in 3 cups broth; increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add more broth if needed.
4 Place chopped chard in a bowl. Cover with cold water and rinse leaves; any grit will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Transfer chard to a colander to drain briefly; add to soup. Cook and stir until leaves wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.
5 Stir in white beans; continue cooking and stirring until pasta is tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese. Serve topped with additional grated cheese.
6 Enjoy!