*Ditalini, which means “little thimbles” in Italian, is most typically used in the Campania region of Italy, where it graces Pasta E Fagioli. It’s a small tubular shaped pasta. The nutty flavor and firm “al dente” texture is a great addition to this Italian bean soup! Nothing like a hot bowl of Pasta e Fagioli to warm your bones on a cold winter day. I grew up this soup! The only thing you need for this soup is patience. Patience to soak the beans overnight and then patience to simmer the soup. But it is an easy recipe!
Ingredients:
2 cups soaked great northern bean (dry beans, then soaked overnight) or two 15 oz cannellini beans
1/2 large chopped onion
2 stalks chopped celery
1 cup 825 Main Marinara Sauce
2 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
4 cups water
1/2 lb ditalini pasta*
Procedure:
In a large pot saute onion and celery in 2 tbs of EVOO till opaque. Add rinsed soaked beans. Add water and Marinara Sauce. Simmer for 2 hours, cook ditalini in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minute. Add pasta to soup according to how much you would like. I always cook pasta separately and then add it when I am ready to serve. I love my pasta al denti. But it’s all according to how you like your pasta. If you like your pasta soft you can finish warming it up in the soup. But remember the pasta absorbs the liquid the longer you cook it in the soup.
Prep time: 15 minutes/overnight
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves 4-6