Can I make this meatless?

Yes. Omit the beef and use vegetable stock for a traditional meat-free version.

How do I keep the pasta from going too soft?

Cook it only to al dente, or boil the pasta separately and add it when serving if you are making the soup ahead.

What greens work best here?

Kale and escarole both work well. Spinach can also be used, but add it only at the end because it wilts quickly.

Pasta e Fagioli with Beans Greens and Tomato Broth

Name: Pasta e Fagioli with Beans Greens and Tomato Broth
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 15 ml olive oil; 454 g ground beef (optional); 150 g onion (finely diced); 150 g carrot (finely diced); 150 g celery (finely diced); 20 g garlic (minced); 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); salt (to taste); black pepper (to taste); 45 g tomato paste; 120 ml white wine (optional); 1440 ml stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable); 680 g crushed tomatoes; 800 g cannellini beans (drained and rinsed); 1 piece Parmesan rind (optional); 1 leaf bay leaf (optional); 1 sprig rosemary (optional sprig); 140 g ditalini pasta (dry); 200 g kale (or escarole, chopped); 15 ml lemon juice; 30 g Parmesan (grated, for serving)

This soup leans on pantry staples and a simple soffritto base, but it still lands with the depth you want from a cool-weather dinner. Beans add body, ditalini gives the soup structure, and greens keep the bowl from feeling too heavy.

The recipe includes an optional beef variation, but it also works well as a meatless bean-and-pasta soup.

Flavor Notes

The broth is tomato-forward without being sharp, and the beans soften it into a more rounded, almost creamy texture. Kale or escarole adds a slight bitterness that keeps the soup balanced.

Make-Ahead Notes

This is a strong meal-prep soup, but the pasta will continue absorbing liquid as it rests. If you know you will have leftovers, keep the cooked pasta separate or thin the soup with extra stock when reheating.

Serving & Goal Fit

One serving is about one-sixth of the pot, or roughly 2 cups.

For a more balanced plate, serve it with a crisp side salad rather than extra bread. If you want a lighter bowl, reduce the pasta slightly and keep the bean and greens portions the same.

This soup is often better the next day because the broth and beans settle into a more unified texture. The only thing to watch is the pasta, which can swell as it sits and make the pot feel thicker than intended.

If you prefer a brothy result, cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl at serving time. That small step gives you more control over the final texture, especially if you expect leftovers.

Pasta e Fagioli with Beans Greens and Tomato Broth

The recipe includes an optional beef variation, but it also works well as a meatless bean-and-pasta soup.

Flavor Notes

The broth is tomato-forward without being sharp, and the beans soften it into a more rounded, almost creamy texture. Kale or escarole adds a slight bitterness that keeps the soup balanced.

Make-Ahead Notes

Serving & Goal Fit

One serving is about one-sixth of the pot, or roughly 2 cups.

For a more balanced plate, serve it with a crisp side salad rather than extra bread. If you want a lighter bowl, reduce the pasta slightly and keep the bean and greens portions the same.

If you prefer a brothy result, cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl at serving time. That small step gives you more control over the final texture, especially if you expect leftovers.