Pasta Fagioli Bean Soup with Smoked Ham

Warm, hearty, and packed with flavor, this Pasta Fagioli Bean Soup with Smoked Ham is the ultimate comfort food that's perfect for any season. This Italian-inspired one-pot dish combines tender cannellini beans, rich smoked ham, and al dente pasta in a savory tomato and herb broth. With aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, and carrot sautéed to perfection, every spoonful is brimming with wholesome goodness. The optional mashing of the beans adds a creamy texture, while fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan offer the perfect finishing touch. Ready in under an hour, this satisfying soup is ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep and pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping. Discover a new family favorite with this soul-warming recipe that’s sure to please your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup smoked ham, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups small pasta (like ditalini or elbow)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced smoked ham and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown.

Step 3

Stir in the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), cannellini beans, chicken or vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for 20 minutes.

Step 7

While the soup is simmering, cook the small pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash some of the beans in the pot to create a thicker texture (this step is optional).

Step 9

Stir in the cooked pasta and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

Step 10

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.

Step 11

Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3273.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2871.2

Total Fat 79.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 173.7mg	0%
Sodium 11937.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 375.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.5g	0%
Total Sugars 39.5g
Protein 157.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1290.2mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 4636.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 25.1%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 52.8%