This recipe is a cross between a soup and a stew; it’s heartwarming and packed with nutrients. I consider it my Italian therapy. 🇮🇹

You will need:

1/2 lb. Ditalini pasta
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 ribs of celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 garlic clove diced, optional
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 can of Pinto beans, rinsed
1 (24 oz) jar of marinara or passata (puréed tomatoes)
2 bay leaves
1/4-1/2 cup water as needed
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Method:

In a medium-sized pot, heat olive oil on medium high-heat. Pan fry the (soffritto) carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Season with salt & pepper. Add beans and tomato sauce. Use the immersion blender to thicken the sauce for 5-12 seconds. Add pasta and water. Simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Be sure to stir occasionally. Add more water if necessary. Serve with the cheese.

Please remember to remove the bay leaves. I used mine as a garnish.

PS. If you don’t have an immersion blender, use the back of a wooden spoon to smash the beans.

Borlotti or cannellini beans can be used as well.

Are you going to try this hearty dish?

Buon Appetito!

I hope you will try this recipe.

Happy Holiday Season to all!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier and Italian Wine Scholar Scholar 🇮🇹
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
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