Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (2024)

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Slow cooker Pasta e fa*gioli soup is a rich and hearty Italian soup loaded with pasta, vegetables, beans, and lean ground beef. It’s hearty, comforting, and oh so delicious!

Italy knows just the way to my heart! If you love a good Italian soup, try this creamy Zuppa Toscana, this chicken gnocchi, or this classic Italian wedding soup.

Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (1)

A Reader’s Review

This is a great simple recipe for a tasty, filling meal! My husband also really enjoyed it… Going to be a regular at our house. Thanks for this winner!!!

-Keriema

Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli

Today I am sharing one of my favorite soups: Pasta efa*gioli. This is comfort food at its finest! It’s a super hearty, meaty, thick Italian soup loaded with veggies, meat, and beans. But that’s not even the best part! The best of all is that this soup is made in a slow cooker. That means little to no prep time and lots of flavors. This soup simmers low and slow for 8 hours! Let the slow cooker do all the work while you relax and enjoy the aroma in your home.

While your soup is cooking all day, then you have some time to make a few sides to go with it. I love adding a side salad and some breadsticks to dip into this soup. You can also make those recipes ahead of time! Then, when the soup is finished, all you have to do is get it all out, set the table, and dig in! It’s a great meal that your entire family will enjoy.

Ingredients You Need to Make Pasta e fa*gioli

This is a thick, rich and hearty soup that is loved by all. So many ingredients but so much flavor in all of them! You will love the combination of vegetables, beans, and pasta. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Extra virgin olive oil:This adds a hint of seasoning and liquid in the mix.
  • Ground beef: When I buy ground beef I try and get it as lean as possible.
  • Carrots:The should be freshly peeled and sliced. Canned carrots are little too mushy when simmering them for a long period of time.
  • Celery stalks: Slice and dice them to your preference.
  • Onion: I like to dice these up a little smaller for kids.
  • Crushed tomatoes:Canned tomatoes are best. Some cans are flavored which adds more flavor so get the kind that you prefer.
  • Beef broth: This liquid base adds in a delicious flavor.
  • Bay leaves:This brings in a strong taste that is so familiar in soups.
  • Oregano:The oregano brings more aromatic seasoning to the soup.
  • Dried basil:Dried basil has a slight pepper taste but is perfectly strong and sweet.
  • Dried thyme:Thyme is a subtle flavor but it is enough for this soup.
  • Salt and pepper: Add this to taste (I added 1 tsp salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • Cannellonibeans and red kidney beans: Make sure that these have been drained and rinsed before adding
  • Ditalini pasta: This uncooked pasta will be added in at the end.

How to Make Pasta e fa*gioli

This soup takes just a bit of prep time and is super easy to throw together. Serve it with a hot, fresh perfect soft, buttery rollfor a great dinner meal!

  1. Brown the ground beef:Add olive oil to a large skillet and add in ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Combine all ingredients: Place the beef in a slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients except for the beans and pasta.
  3. Cook on low:Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 30 minutes before serving stir in beans and pasta.
  4. Season:Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaves before serving.
  5. Serve:Serve immediately while hot.
Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (2)

Is Pasta e fa*gioli a Main Dish or a Side Dish?

This is a common question, and there is no correct answer! This dish is filling enough and has your meats and veggies all in one so you can definitely serve it as a main dish! Add in a Caprese salad and some breadsticks and it can be a meal. Or, you can serve it as an appetizer to the main course! Either way, it’s going to fill you up!

Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (3)

What’s the Difference Between Minestrone Soup and Pasta e fa*gioli?

These two soups are often confused with one another! They are both delicious but here are the differences between the two:

  • Consistency: The main difference between minestrone soup and pasta e fa*gioli soup is the meat and the thickness. Minestrone leaves our ground beef and has a thinner consistency.
  • Vegetables: They each have vegetables but pasta e fa*gioli has a few more and a different variety.

How to Store Leftovers

This soup makes fantastic leftovers! It tastes just as good, if not better, the next day!

  • In the Refrigerator: Place the soup in an airtight container and put it in your fridge. It will last 3-4 days.
  • To Reheat: When you are ready to eat it again then put the soup in a medium sized pot and cook it on medium-high heat on your stove. It will take 5-10 minutes until it’s heated through.
Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (4)

More Italian Recipes to Try

As I said before, Italy really knows the way to my heart! All of the delicious seasonings, soups and pasta are SOO GOOD. It’s hard to pick a favorite! It you are looking for some more delicious tried and true recipes then you will love these that I have rounded up. Serve them family style and it will feel as if you are in Italy! Enjoy!

Dinner

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken with Pasta

6 hrs 20 mins

Pasta

Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

25 mins

Dinner

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

8 hrs 20 mins

Dinner

The BEST Lasagna Ever!

1 hr

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Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

4.88 from 32 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Slow cooker Pasta e fa*gioli soup is a rich and hearty Italian soup loaded with pasta, vegetables, beans, and lean ground beef. It's hearty, comforting, and oh so delicious!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours hours

Total Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 people

Equipment

  • Crock-Pot

  • Cuisinart Stainless Steel Chopper

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to a large skillet and add in ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink.

  • Place the beef in a slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients except for the beans and pasta.

  • Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 30 minutes before serving stir in beans and pasta.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaves before serving.

  • Serve immediately while hot.

Video

Notes

Updated on January 27, 2022
Original Post on October 23, 2015

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2216IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: American, Italian, Italian American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does pasta need to be covered in water in slow cooker? ›

Place the dried pasta in the pot and add water until it is just barely covering the pasta-about half an inch above, at most. Depending on the size of the box of pasta you are using, this is generally around 4 cups of water. The key is to make sure all of the pasta is covered with water.

How long does dry pasta take to cook in a slow cooker? ›

It takes slow cooker pasta 3 to 4 hours on low or 1 to 2 hours on high. Check pasta doneness sooner than later, especially as some slow cookers are more powerful than others.

When should I add noodles to slow cooker? ›

For soups, add dry pasta after cooking.

Broth-based slow cooker dinners need their dry pasta added at just the right moment — add the pasta too early and your noodles will be mushy before they get to the table. Adding dry pasta 30 to 4o minutes before serving means you'll have perfectly cooked pasta in your soup.

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? ›

One of the most common reasons for mushy noodles is overcooking. Pasta, including noodles, has a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients typically prepared in a crockpot.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

What happens if you don t use enough water while cooking pasta? ›

Add another five minutes or more. Also if not watched your pasta water will boil out and the sticky noodles will scorch on the bottom of the pot. The thing happening is your pasta will be dried because of not having the enough water. It won't be smooth for your mouth.

Can you put raw pasta in slow cooker? ›

I'd take the time to boil the pasta separately, add the pasta later, about 20–30 minutes before serving, or simmer it a little harder in a pan of the slow cooked liquid if theres enough to cover. According to question, Yes, you can cook uncooked pasta in a slow cooker with other ingredients.

Can you overcook pasta in slow cooker? ›

When cooking pasta in the slow cooker, we recommend using thicker pasta noodles to help prevent overcooking. Try out fettuccine or bow tie, especially if it's your first go at it. Once you've started cooking, check the noodles every few minutes to see if they're fully cooked.

How much water do you put in a slow cooker for pasta? ›

Cooking pasta in a slow cooker is not recommended because it can become mushy. If you do choose to cook pasta in a slow cooker, use a short, small pasta shape and add at least 6 cups of liquid for every 1 pound of pasta. Cook on high for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Why don t you want to put your noodles too soon in the soup? ›

Wait until the very end of cooking to add the noodles

Very frequently, according to Kitchn, the noodles in the soup turn out way too mushy, lending an unwelcome, starchy gumminess to what can be a near-perfect dish.

Do you put cold or boiling water in slow cooker? ›

Preheat the cooker and add hot liquids, if possible. Preheating the crock before adding ingredients or cooking on the highest setting for the first hour will ensure a rapid heat start and will shorten the time foods are in the temperature danger zone.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker. Stick to heartier root vegetables like potatoes, onions, leeks and yams, or wait to add the tender vegetables until the last 30 minutes or so of cooking time.

Does food in slow cooker have to be covered with liquid? ›

When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Should the water cover the pasta when cooking? ›

Should you cover the pasta when cooking it? It's okay to put a lid on the pot while you are waiting for the water to boil. However, after it starts to boil and you add the pasta to the water, you should remove the lid to prevent the water from bubbling over.

Does the water need to cover the pasta? ›

Cover your pan with a lid to help bring the water up to the boil more quickly, then remove the lid once the water is boiling or reduce the temperature slightly to stop it bubbling over. Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling, never before, and cook without the lid.

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