Description
Warm up with a bowl of Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli Soup, a delightful twist on the classic Olive Garden favorite. This hearty and comforting soup is packed with nutritious ingredients like lean turkey, beans, and vibrant vegetables, making it a wholesome choice for cozy nights or family gatherings. With minimal prep time and the convenience of a slow cooker, this recipe allows the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day. Perfect for busy weeknights, this soup is not only satisfying but also customizable—feel free to add your favorite veggies or adjust seasoning to suit your taste. Enjoy a rich tomato broth filled with wholesome goodness in every spoonful!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3/4 pound extra-lean ground turkey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper chili flakes (optional)
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 3 cups homemade or canned tomato sauce
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup homemade beef stock or good quality no-salt beef broth
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 cup cooked or drained & rinsed canned kidney beans
- 1/2 cup cooked or drained & rinsed canned Great Northern beans
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1/4 cup dry uncooked Ditalini pasta or other small pasta (optional)
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (to taste)
- Water (as needed to thin out soup to desired consistency)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep all ingredients by chopping vegetables and measuring items.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and brown the ground turkey. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, celery, carrots, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, fennel seeds, kidney beans, Great Northern beans, zucchini, Ditalini pasta (if using), salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar to the slow cooker. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, checking occasionally and adding water if needed for desired consistency.
- Taste before serving; adjust seasonings as necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg