The Heart of Italy: A Timeless Recipe for Pasta Fagioli

🍲 The Heart of Italy: A Timeless Recipe for Pasta Fagioli

A Dish of Love, Memory, and Tradition

Buon Appetito! The scent of simmering beans, garlic, and tomatoes fills the air, wrapping you in warmth and nostalgia. This is the magic of pasta fagioli—a humble, hearty dish that carries the soul of Italy in every spoonful.

I first learned to make it as a little girl in my grandmother’s kitchen in Italy. She was born in a small village, and her cooking was rooted in tradition, love, and intuition. Alongside her and my aunt—who I later lived with for ten years—I discovered that food is more than sustenance. It’s a way to connect, to remember, and to celebrate family.

👵 A Family Tradition Passed Down

My grandmother’s kitchen was always alive with sizzling garlic, bubbling pots, and the laughter of family. She taught me that the best meals come from simple ingredients and a generous heart. Pasta fagioli wasn’t just a recipe—it was a ritual. A lesson in patience, care, and the joy of feeding others.

Even now, every time I make it, I feel closer to her. It’s a dish that speaks of home, comfort, and the love that binds generations.

🧂 The Secret Ingredient: Love

At its core, pasta fagioli is simple: beans, pasta, vegetables, and herbs. But the true magic lies in cooking it with love. My grandmother always said, “You can follow the recipe, but without love, it won’t taste the same.”

🍅 Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cannellini or borlotti beans (soaked overnight)
• ½ cup small pasta (ditalini, elbows, or shells)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish