Italian Bean Soup(With Pasta)
A hearty Italian Bean Soup with pasta, featuring tender beans, savory ham, pepperoni, and fresh vegetables, perfect for comforting family meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the great northern beans in a small pot.
- Cover the beans with 2 cups of boiling water and let stand for 1 hour.
- Drain and rinse the beans; set aside.
- In a 5-6 quart pot, heat the olive oil.
- Cook the carrots, celery, and onion until the onion is soft.
- Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, and chopped pepperoni.
- Stir in the ham chunks, chopped tomatoes with liquid, bay leaf, drained beans, and 6 cups of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cover the pot and reduce heat; simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove the bay leaf.
- Remove 1 cup of the bean mixture and puree it in a blender with a little of the liquid.
- Return the pureed mixture to the soup and add the pasta.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook uncovered until the pasta is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Italian Bean Soup, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. You can substitute great northern beans with cannellini or navy beans if desired. For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and pepperoni and add more vegetables or a plant-based sausage. Don't forget to soak the beans overnight for quicker cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Italian Bean Soup hot, garnished with extra parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added richness. It pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a light Italian Market Salad for a refreshing contrast. For a hearty meal, you can also serve it alongside Melanzane Imbottite (Stuffed Eggplant) or a simple green salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will deepen as it sits. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much. This soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just ensure it's cooled completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Bean Soup(With Pasta) contains roughly 1241 calories, with 40g protein, 234g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (303% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (211% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 743mg per serving (32% 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
What type of pasta works best in this soup?
Small pasta shapes like ditalini, orzo, or even broken spaghetti are ideal for this soup. They cook quickly and absorb the flavors well. However, you can use any pasta you prefer; just adjust the cooking time as needed.
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).