Fagioli
Fagioli is a hearty Italian-inspired bean and pasta stew packed with tender kidney beans, seasoned ground beef, and flavorful vegetables. Perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead, its rich tomato sauce and pasta make it a comforting, satisfying dish suitable for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz dried kidney beans ⓘ
- 4 cups water ⓘ
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef ⓘ
- 16 oz canned tomatoes ⓘ
- 15 oz canned tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 onions, chopped ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 2 carrots, diced ⓘ
- 0.25 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked ⓘ
- splash of red wine ⓘ
Instructions
- Rinse and pick over the dried kidney beans.
- Place the beans and water in a stock pot; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cover and let sit for one hour.
- Return to heat and simmer for 1 hour longer. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the liquid.
- Set aside the beans and liquid.
- Brown the ground beef, onions, garlic, carrots, and green pepper in the same pot.
- Add the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings (pepper, salt, basil, red pepper flakes).
- Return the beans and reserved liquid to the pot.
- Cook for 1 hour.
- Add the cooked macaroni and a splash of red wine if desired.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with textured vegetable protein or lentils. You can also add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach for added nutrition. If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes. For a creamier texture, consider stirring in a bit of cream cheese just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Fagioli hot, garnished with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving alongside Italian Sausage Soup With Tortellini. This dish also freezes well, making it great for meal prep.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the consistency. You can also microwave portions in a covered dish until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fagioli contains roughly 327 calories, with 19g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (221% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (59% of the Daily Value), and protein (37% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1042mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned kidney beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned kidney beans for convenience. If using canned, rinse and drain them, and reduce the cooking time to just 20 minutes after adding them to the pot with the other ingredients.
What can I substitute for elbow macaroni?
If you don’t have elbow macaroni, you can use any small pasta shape like shells or penne. Alternatively, you could skip the pasta entirely for a low-carb version or serve it over rice.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, consider increasing the red pepper flakes or adding a diced jalapeño or serrano pepper when sautéing the vegetables. A dash of hot sauce can also elevate the spice level without altering the dish's character.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).