Momma's Amazing Macaroni and Bean Soup

Submitted by BigFatMomma

"I was looking for a recipe for pasta e fagioli, gave up, and came up with this tasty number. I love it, and it definitely warms you up! All measurements are approximate, since, for soup, I never make it the same every time. Use your best judgement!"

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup butter (no substitutes, please)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 slices lean turkey bacon, chopped
• 4 -5 cups chicken stock (or more, as needed) or 4 -5 cups broth (or more, as needed)
• 1⁄2 - 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans
• 6 -12 ounces tomato paste
• 8 ounces ditalini or 8 ounces other short penne pasta, cooked just to al dente
• salt, to taste

directions

1. Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan.
2. Saute onions, carrots, bacon and garlic for 5 minutes.
3. Add stock and seasoning, stir, and bring to a boil.
4. Boil until carrots and onions are tender.
5. Add beans, and return to a boil.
6. Whisk in desired amount of tomato paste and lower heat to a simmer.
7. Add pasta, and simmer until desired tenderness.
8. Serve with parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[bmcnichol]

I made this for lunches for myself. I didn't have a carrot so I used a can of carrots and chopped them up. I used four cups of chicken stock, 1/2 tsp of italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp of pepper and 6 ounces of tomato paste. I did drain my beans as it didn't say and I used a cup of orzo. I also used real bacon bits instead of turkey bacon. The soup was on the thick side but that is how I like it. I did top mine with parm cheese. The taste reminded me of a tomato soup.

 

[lauralie41]

Wonderful soup, thank you Momma! This soup tastes like it was cooked for hours but it wasnt! Very easy to put this together and tastes great. I used garlic cloves and bacon bits for the turkey bacon. Didnt have chicken broth so I used vegetable, the whole teaspoon of italian seasoning and did not rinse or drain the cannellini beans. The tomato paste I only had a 6 ounce can so I added a 6 ounce can of tomato sauce. Didnt need the salt at all, a terrific smokey, rich tomato flavor! If you love soups, definitely make this recipe!