I love Pasta Fagioli and Chicken Parmesano with pasta so I decided to combine them and see what it would be like!
What a huge hit with the family.
We loved this dish so much, now it's the most asked for soup almost chili style bowl of deliciousness, all year long.
During the fall months, sometimes you need an old-fashioned bowl of comfort food.
This one is pure comfort with a capital C, and it's over the top delicious.
The kids love this old-school pasta dish and are asked for it often.
Serve this bowl with a warm piece of garlic bread and it's a win-win combination of flavors.
With all the melted mozzarella what can be more comforting than this soup?
The cheese and chicken added is a gourmet version of the tried and true old-fashioned pasta fagioli (pronounced fazool!)
Scroll down to the recipe card to print this off.
A Hearty Meal
Growing up in the wintery snow town of Utica, New York, we made a lot of stews, soups and comfort foods to keep us warm.
This was one of them and mom used whatever pasta we had in the house.
Although in the 1960s, money was tight and we often used other boneless chicken parts.
We often used dried beans soaked overnight and always fresh chopped tomatoes.
Mom made many bean meals to include another all-time favorite Italian escarole and beans and the original style of pasta fagioli.
Ingredients You Will Need
- chicken breast
- great northern beans or any white beans you like
- diced tomatoes
- whole cloves of garlic cleaned
- granulated garlic
- tomato paste
- stalks celery
- fresh plum tomatoes
- sliced carrots
- salt, pepper, to taste
- red wine
- olive oil
- parmesan cheese more for garnish
- shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- Ditalini, orzo or whatever small pasta you like (baby shells work great also) cooked to package instructions ( I use around 1 1/2 cups dry.
- Optional: red pepper flakes
Tips
- To with Italian flavored croutons or garlic bread cubed
- Garnish with grated cheese, shredded mozzarella
- If using canned beans rinse the salt off first
- If using dried beans soak overnight in water or use a slow cooker on low to soften
- Do not brown garlic just saute until fragrant
- Use fresh plum tomatoes when in season ( you can substitute whole canned San Marzano)
- Always cook and drain the pasta to al dente' separately and add last by folding in
Pasta Suggestions
- ditalini
- small baby shells
- tiny bow ties
- wagon wheels
- petite penne
Tool Needed
- 8-quart saucepan
- 4-quart saucepan for boiling pasta in
- colander for draining pasta
- sharp knife for cubing chicken and plum tomatoes
- food processor
- slow cooker for beans for softening overnight if using
- cutting board
- wooden spoon for stirring
- ladle for serving
Try Some Of My Other Favorite Meals
Chicken Florentine Soup
Baked Potato Soup
Best Split Pea Soup
Perfect Chicken Broth
Old Fashioned Chicken Soup
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Perfect Comfort Food
This one-pan meal is a bowl of satisfying Italian classic goodness that will be asked for time and time again.
It's not only easy but this Chicken Parmesano Pasta Fagioli is a delicious change to the plain version.
We grew up on pasta fazool ( as we pronounced it) and it was a staple in our house every week.
It fed a large family inexpensively and continues to be many generations later.
Hope you try it, let us know what you think in the comments.

Chicken Parmesano Pasta Fagioli
Yield: 8
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M
This is an amazing one-pan meal that's hearty with beans, chicken, pasta in a rich tomato sauce. Pasta Fagioli is a famous staple soup in Italian, this is the same with added chicken.
ingredients:
- 2 cups boneless cubes of chicken breast sauteed
- 1 pound cooked great northern beans or any white beans you like
- (I do mine overnight in the slow cooker)
- 1 - 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons sugar is optional
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 small can tomato paste 6 ounce
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 fresh plum tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots
- salt, pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- olive oil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese more for garnish
- shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- Ditalini, orzo or whatever small pasta you like (baby shells work great also) cooked to package instructions ( I use around 1 1/2 cups dry.
- Optional: red pepper flakes
instructions:
How to cook Chicken Parmesano Pasta Fagioli
- Place the plum tomatoes, celery, garlic, and carrots in a food processor and blend until pureed fine.
- Add water if leaving big chunks run till smooth.
- In a large soup pan around 8 quarts, add the garlic cloves and oil, saute for 1 minute and remove( do not brown.
- Add cubed chicken and continue to saute with granulated garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste. leave the oil in the pan.
- Add pureed vegetables, beans, tomato paste, wine, and a can of diced tomatoes.
- Simmer for around 30 minutes, stir in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
- In a small saucepan cook the ditalini separate to package instructions then add to the fagioli, last, stirring to coat evenly with sauce, and serve topped with more grated cheese and shredded mozzarella.
- Serve with crusty Italian bread, red pepper flakes, and grated cheese on top.
Calories
225
225
Fat (grams)
19
19
Sat. Fat (grams)
9
9
Carbs (grams)
22
22
Fiber (grams)
22
22
Net carbs
11
11
Sugar (grams)
8
8
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More Easy Meals:
Pizza Chicken and Potatoes
Italian Chicken Stew
Homemade Sausage Pasta Helper
Italian Escarole and Beans
Looks really good and just right for our cold weather.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious idea for dinner. We can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDelete