Pasta e Fagioli for Two Recipe
A comforting and hearty Pasta e Fagioli recipe designed for two, featuring a flavorful broth enriched with bacon, vegetables, and orzo pasta. This classic Italian soup combines tender beans, savory tomato paste, and aromatic seasonings for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 strips bacon, chopped
- ½ small onion, chopped
- ½ cup finely chopped carrot
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasonings and Flavorings
- ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- ½ tsp. salt
Liquids and Pasta
- 2 and ½ cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen beans (such as lima beans or soy beans)
- ⅓ cup dry orzo (or other small pasta)
Instructions
- Cook bacon: Set a large saucepan over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp. Remove all but 2 teaspoons of the bacon fat from the pan and discard the excess fat.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped onion and carrot to the saucepan with the reserved bacon fat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, stirring to combine. Incorporate the tomato paste and cook while stirring for 30 seconds to develop its flavor.
- Add liquids and beans: Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock along with the frozen beans and ½ teaspoon of salt. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook pasta and simmer: Stir in the dry orzo pasta. Once the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo pasta is tender, about 7 to 9 minutes. Taste the soup and adjust salt seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable stock instead.
- Frozen beans like lima, soy, or cannellini beans work well; avoid thawing before adding.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the stock amount or add more orzo.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes is optional and adjusts the spice level.
- Using low-sodium chicken stock helps control the salt content in the recipe.
Keywords: Pasta e Fagioli, Italian soup, orzo soup, bean soup, easy dinner for two, quick soup recipe
Find it online: https://recipeswithria.com/pasta-e-fagioli-for-two-recipe/
