This easy Crock Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli soup recipe is packed with flavor. You'll love it better than the Olive Garden version!
A DELICIOUS OLIVE GARDEN COPYCAT RECIPE
I will be the first to admit that the first time I ever heard of or tasted this soup was at Olive Garden. I know it existed in Italy long before Olive Garden was ever around but it was Olive Garden that introduced me to this seriously yummy and hearty soup.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
You can make this without a slow cooker. Follow the instructions below, but instead of adding to a slow cooker, just put all ingredients in a large pot (except for the pasta). Cook over low heat for about an hour. During the last 15-20 minutes, add in the pasta.
Pasta e Fagioli is Italian for "Pasta and Beans".
Absolutely. You can substitute the ground beef in this recipe for ground Italian sausage or you could use half ground beef and half sausage.
Yes. Americans tend to pronounce it as pasta fazool which is a take on the Neapolitan (Naples, Italy) pronunciation of pasta e fasule. But in the Italian mainland, it is generally pronounced as "paa·stuh faa·jee·o·lee"
They are actually very similar! Minestrone is heavy on the vegetables with lots of variety where as pasta Fagioli's main focus is mostly on the beans and the smaller pasta shapes.
If you know you are going to want to have leftovers, I would not add the pasta in with the whole slow cooker of soup towards the end of cooking. I would cook the pasta separately and add it to individual servings. The reason being is pasta will continue to absorb any liquid it is in long after it has stopped cooking. Store your soup and pasta separately in covered containers in the refrigerator and mix the two only when reheating. The soup will stay good in the refrigerator for up to one week.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- ground beef
- onion
- carrots
- celery
- diced tomatoes
- dark red kidney beans
- cannellini beans
- spaghetti sauce
- beef broth
- dried oregano
- dried parsley
- salt and pepper
- ditalini pasta
HOW TO MAKE OLIVE GARDEN PASTA E FAGIOLI SOUP:
Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease.
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker (except for pasta) and stir.
Set slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
During the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, add in the pasta and stir.
Cook’s Notes: Pasta likes to absorb a lot of the liquid so if you like your soup a bit more soupy, be prepared to have an extra can of beef broth handy. You can add it in towards the end. Also, another way to avoid this is to precook your pasta first and then add it in at the end.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? TRY THESE!
Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 26 ounce container beef stock (or 3 cups)
- 25 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
Instructions
- Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add into the slow cooker.
- Add all the other ingredients to the slow cooker (except for pasta) and stir.
- Cover and set slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours
- During the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, add in the pasta and stir. Cook until pasta is al dente then serve with breadsticks!
Video
Notes
- Pasta likes to absorb a lot of the liquid so if you like your soup a bit more soupy, be prepared to have an extra can of beef broth handy. You can add it in towards the end.
Nutrition
Originally published: November 2011
Updated & republished: December 2021
Elizabeth
Delicious! Made it exactly as written, except I used a can of diced tomatoes, onions and peppers instead of plain tomatoes and fresh parsley, since we still had some in the herb garden. Served with parmesan on top and garlic bread on the side, and it was a wonderful winter meal. Will DEFINITELY make again! Thanks so much!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love hearing that Elizabeth! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Darlene
Love this recipe! Forecast is snow tomorrow, so we are looking forward to this for dinner tomorrow - still simmering in the crock pot tonight. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
Jazmine Garcia
Love this recipe
AmyB
I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out so well. My pickup toddler asked for a second helping. This will definitely go into rotation!
Shanna
Seriously might be better than Olive Garden!!! I make this a lot!!! ❤️
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you so very much Shanna!
Linda
We LOVE this soup! It is so savory and hearty with great flavors. It’s a regular at our house.
Sharon
I’ve probably made this recipe over 50 times. It’s my kids’ (age 3&4) favorite meal! Everyone loves it! Thanks!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Sharon - it always makes my day when I hear the kiddos love a recipe! Thank you so very much for taking the time to come back and comment. It means so much!
Holli
Made it for the first time. Followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious! This is a keeper! Thanks for sharing!
Trisha
Thank you for posting actual pictures of the ingredients in the recipes. I'm not the greatest cook and avoid it as much as possible but to save money I've been trying to cook more. Those pictures help since I really don't know what some things are or how they are packaged. Thank you!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you for telling me that Trisha! It really helps to know!
Joann Townsend
Easy, peasy. Soooo good. Just like Olive Garden. It's a keeper!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks so much Joann!
Lisa
I love the soup. It's easy, healthy, and my kids love it. Thank you.
Barbara Ward
I used the larger can of tomatoes, added half a bunch of fresh parsley and used ground lean white meat turkey (with my own added spices) because i am on WW. I used a whole box of broth and two cups of dry pasta. OMG good. Full large oval crock pot.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love how you took the recipe and made it your own! Thanks so much Barbara!
Tracey
I added potatoes, zuccini and summer squash. Cooking now.
Kristen
Hi! Love how easy and delicious your recipes are! Just wanted to let you know that under “what you’ll need” you forgot to write the beef stock. I know that it’s listed in the recipe but just in case someone makes their grocery list off “what you need” 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yikes! Thanks Kristen, you are so right! I'll get that fixed now. Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!
Anonymous
What size are the cans of beans and tomatoes?
Anonymous
My sweetie said, "This looks good. Wanna' make it?" I did. It is excellent. Much better than I expected. Now we're going to try the salad dressing!
Lisa B.
This was AMAZING!!!!! I definitely agree with everyone who says to cook & store the pasta separately - I cooked it separately, but mixed it before storing and the pasta, even though it was cooked, continued to soak up the broth. My only other suggestion would be to decrease the black pepper a bit because it was a lot more pepper-y than the Olive Garden's version. Aside from that, this was absolutely perfect - and I generally don't think knockoff recipes taste much like the original. This was definitely one that did!
Anonymous
I made this for dinner tonight. Followed the recipe except used ground turkey. It was delicious and makes a crock pot full. Will be making this often!
Anonymous
Skip the beef and beef stock. Use vegetable stock and if you must have a "meat" use soy sausage. This is a perfect soup for vegans.
Lucia Schultz
OUTSTANDING!! I will make this often..thanks
carmen antone
Made this soup tonight....It was wonderful...had to add a little more beef broth probably because I coooked it longer than the hour listed....wonderful for this cold night.
Anonymous
1) Always add pasta after cooking it - and right before serving. I am never adding it until we are getting ready to eat - it may do ok to add before going off to work. It makes mush if you cook it in or leave it in. Lesson learned on that.
2) V8 juice adds an amazing layer. I didn't have any more broth and needed liquid with flavor. Really made it even better and added a beautiful layer.
Anonymous
I made this last night. It was very good. I had to add two more containers beef broth, because after I added the noodles they just sucked up the juice. I also used diced tomatoes that had Basil, garlic, and oregano. I also cooked it on the stove top. I will be making this again!!!
Anonymous
Just a note, OG also uses italian ground sausage and they do not add the cooked pasta until ready to serve.
Lisa
I wanted to let you know that I tried this recipe a few weeks ago, and it has been requested 2 more times since. It was a big hit at our Christmas Eve party, too. I made it again last night for a New Year's Eve Party by request. I had been on the lookout for a good recipe that was simple because my husband loves this stuff at Olive Garden. This one will be on our regular menu now. Thank you.
Lisa
Stephanie @CopyKat.com
I love that recipe with the jarred sauce too 😉 You have beautiful photos.
Anonymous
Delicious! I made it using Italian seasoned ground turkey. A new family favorite!
Anonymous
Hi try making the pasta on the side and add it when you dish up . Works great and you don't have to worry about the pasta absorb up the liquid.
Rosalinda
Just made this soup for my daughter's Christmas party! It tasted just like olive garden! Love it! Thank you so much. Your blog is wonderful. I especially appreciate your pictures of the products you use for the recipe. It makes things so much easier. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
Kenya G. Johnson
I made this. The house smells WONDERFUL. It's done. No one has eaten yet but it is delicious!!!
Jennifer Myers
I made this for dinner tonight. Very yummy and so easy too! Even my very picky son ate it AND liked it. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!
SusanMarie
Just made this! Absolutely delish!! Remember to add the grated parm before serving!! Can't wait to make more of your recipies!
The Country Cook
I'm am so happy to hear you like this recipe!! I truly appreciate y'all for taking the time to let me know how a recipe turned out. It makes my day!! I hope you find lots more recipes on here that you love! ~Brandie
Anonymous
Hey Brandie,just wanted to let you know that i absolutely love your blog! I have this soup in my slow cooker right now 🙂
Roxana Ruiz
I just made this tonight and my family loooooved it!!! Woo hoo!
Kim BudgetingBeauty
I just found your blog. I love you.
That is all.
Anonymous
Making for dinner tonight and done, the last step is in process. I can't wait it smells wonderful and taste soooo good.
mimiof2
I am making this today! It smells so good in my kitchen right now. We LOVE it! I usually double it and either freeze some or share with others. Thanks again for the great recipes! Hope you have a great week-end!
Anonymous
I would add some parmesan cheese before serving...I believe they do that at Olive Garden...and I think I see some floating on top of the finished soup in your picture! Sounds great can't wait to try it! Thanks~
Spatulas On Parade
Hey, I made the soup again, we love it but I wanted you to know I tagged you on my facebook and blog both. Thanks for a great recipe.
Anonymous
This is sssoooo good. I made this twice already...but I have to cut the recipe in half ...it's too much for two people. The first time I forgot to decrease the amount of pasta so it was a mess. The second time it was perfection. I separated some in three bowls to try to find the right spicy kick. The Cayenne pepper was too hot and I didn't care for the hot sauce flavor...surprisingly a little chili pepper seasoning was perfect! Thank you!
Bella
Peggy H.
I have made this three times already since finding this on Pinterest. We love it. I don't do the crock-pot method, just stove top. After all ingredients are combined, I simmer for 45-60 minutes. I also make the pasta separate and add later as to not make the soup to thick as the juice is absorbed in the pasta. This is yummy. I'm making it again today except doubling this time. Thanks for a hearty soup that is also safe for my son with severe food allergies.
pugsneedhugs
Just wanted to let you know I cooked this for dinner last night, and it was super yummy. (I'm actually eating leftovers for lunch today at work. hehe) Husband and I both went back for seconds. Only alterations: I accidentally grabbed chicken stock instead of beef; I used S&P when browning the ground beef, added a Bay leaf; added chopped garlic (b/c in my house it isn't dinner without garlic) and used a small shell pasta instead (b/c that was all I had). I must say it was so incredible. I served it with your short cut bread sticks-which were as big of a hit (if not bigger cause my daughter would eat only bread if allowed) as the soup. Thanks again!
The Country Cook
Thank you Michelle!! Hope your boys love it too!
Michelle
I have this cooking in the crockpot right now and the smell is amazing!! I doubled the amount of beef stock just because I love it soupy... & of course I just had to do a taste test and WOW it is exactly like Olive Garden's...Thank you so much for sharing my boys are going to love this 🙂
The Country Cook
Lisa, thank you so much for coming back & letting me know how it turned out for you. SO happy you enjoyed this one!!
Liberty Lion Lisa
Thank you for this recipe! It has become a staple meal following spaghetti night - PERFECT for the leftover sauce! Thanks, too, for having the easy-to-print option!
The Country Cook
Thank you so very much Jan!! Love your husband's comment..lol. So thrilled y'all were happy with this recipe!
Jan
I've made this twice now. Delicious!! The first time I made it, my husband said you should make another batch for next weeks' lunches! 🙂
The Country Cook
I'm so happy to hear you liked this recipe. Love that you used a combination of beef and pork..yum!
Anonymous
This soup was great. I used pork and ground beef and it was amazing!
Terry the Domestic Dilettante
Isn't it awesome? I've been using a very similar recipe for about 15 years, and it gets rave reviews every time I make it. I do cook my ditalini separate, and occasionally make it up a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight for even better flavor. Just add the pasta right before serving.
Terry
The Country Cook
Hi Melanie! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know how all the recipes turned out for ya. It is always great to get feedback - thank you!
Melanie
Brandie,
I made the Pasta Fagioli and Meatball Tortellini soups and the Butterfinger Cake for a church supper last night. They were all a huge hit. Thanks so much for the great tasting and easy to prepare recipes.
The Country Cook
Linda, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how it turned out for you! So glad your whole family enjoyed it! Makes my day to hear that!!
Linda in New Mexico
I am a very busy Oma with 2 grands, a working daughter and a working husband who all want dinner at different times. I made this soup today and the whole family voted this one their favorite of the month. Thanks so much. Everything is perfect about this dish. Full flavor, good mix of ingredients and ease of preparation. Two thumbs up from Casa de Cuckoo. Oma Linda
The Farmers Wife
This is SERIOUSLY my favorite soup in the whole wide world! I am putting this on my menu for next week as I've been craving it SO bad! Yummy!!!
Vickie
YUM YUM YUM! That looks, and sounds so good! 🙂
Karyn
This looks fabulous! I would love to have you link this to my blog this week!
http://cookingwithkaryn.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-makes-you-say-mmmmm-4-and-bread.html
The Country Cook
Hi Anonymous, I think my favorite Prego Sauce is the Tomato, Onion and Garlic one. It's part of the "Garden Chunky" line. Hope that helps 🙂
Anonymous
Do you have a favorite Prego sauce?
Lizzy
Soup weather has definitely arrived! This looks great, Brandie!
SJerZGirl
Until Olive Garden, I thought Pasta Fagiole was a pasta dish. My mother used pasta, lima beans and spaghetti sauce....nothing else. I was well into adulthood before I learned that it was actually a soup. But, some places make theirs more like Navy bean soup than like this. This is my favorite!
Kim B.
LOVE This!! Am always on the look out for some good crockpot recipes & this is PERFECT!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Christine's Pantry
Looks like a perfect slow cooker meal. I could eat a large bowl of this. Yum!
Becky
I love this slow cooker recipe for the soup. It is hearty and will be warming in this cold weather, plus, it is easy to make:)
Michelle
This looks awesome! and slow cooker? sounds like a keeper 🙂
MaryBeth
I have made this soup for my husband, it truly is his favorite. I love your recipe for the slow cooker.
Bama Girl
The soup sounds delicious! I will try it this month since I'm making soup once each week through winter. See if you can copy-cat Mamma's chicken soup from Carraba's.
Walking on Sunshine...
This looks really good! I need to try making it one day soon. Enjoy!
Liz
About how many servings would you say this recipe makes? Sounds delicious! I can't wait to make it!
Jennifer
I'm anxious to try this soup recipe...thanks so much for sharing it. I'm always looking for new things to make in my slow cooker.
Jennifer
RavieNomNoms
Oh how I love slow cooker meals!
Sheena
Sounds so yummy! Can't wait to try it!!
icancookthat
What a great slow cooker recipe. I love Pasta E Fagioli!
The Country Cook
Anonymous, if you'd like you could always add a few dashes of hot sauce or maybe a touch of cayenne pepper to up the spiciness. We keep things low on the spice-facto here because of the kiddos.
Liz, I would say this serves at least 6 (maybe more, depending on how large your serving bowls are).
Sandra
Full yummy comfort! Look so good, Brandy that I wish to have one bowl right now on this rainy and cold day!:)
Anonymous
At Olive Garden this has a little spicy favor? What can we do to get that from this recipe?
Anonymous
Use italian sausage in place of the hamburger. Works wonderful!
MJ
Exactly what I have been doing , Italian Sausage. I have been making this most my life (adult life that is 60 yrs. old). Also I don't add pasta because it continues to absorb liquid when stored together. I put cooked pasta in bowls and soup on top.
Linda
Add 1/4 teaspoon (or ever so slightly more ) red pepper flakes. This will give a subtle bit of heat without being overwhelming.
Val
This makes for a perfect meal to warm you up and fill you up during the cold months. I have never made it before and it looks like I've been missing out!
The Country Cook
Anonymous - no, don't cook it beforehand. You want to put it in uncooked. It will take about 30 minutes for it to cook in crock pot if you use the smaller ditalini pasta.
Anonymous
Do you cook the pasta before adding?
Anonymous
It says right in the directions... ADD COOKED PASTA ...
Tracy
Please be nice in life ❤️
Debbie Caraballo
Actually it says to use uncooked pasta...I've made this many times and have never cooked it before adding.
Annie Oakley's Kitchen
My family loves Olive Garden and I love slow cooker recipe! This one looks so good!