As a kid, I loved watching my mom in the kitchen cooking. Throwing a little salt in, stirring and throwing in more stuff and mixing again. She never used measuring spoons or cups. She just knew. My mother worked full-time and ran a business of her own, but always found the time to cook for us. In the fall and winter, I especially enjoyed the Korean soups my mom would make for us. Nothing says comfort to me more than soup.
And now, with kids of my own, it’s no surprise to me that soup is my oldest daughter’s favorite! Leek and potato soup and any soup with pasta and beans. She loves pasta e fagioli.
Warm, comforting and hearty pasta e fagioli, I can’t think of a better way to warm our tummies and enjoy a healthy meal. This soup is packed with some of my favorite seasonal fall produce: butternut squash and swiss chard. I love these together.
I made this vegetarian pasta e fagioli in my KitchenAid® 6.0Qt Cast Iron Cookware. This cast iron cookware allows for high-temperature cooking and is ideal for slow-cooking stews, soups and braised dishes on any cooktop stove, as well as roasts and baking in the oven. You can also use this for cobblers and cornbread! Bonus: The lid also doubles as a grill pan and can be used for grilling steaks, burgers, chicken, or vegetables. Isn’t that amazing?! This is the most versatile cast iron cookware ever!
The first official day of autumn is right around the corner so grab this cast iron cookware from KitchenAid and get some pasta e fagioli going!
Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion peeled and diced
- 2 celery ribs diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small butternut squash peeled and cubed (at least 3 cups)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed
- 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth + more if needed
- 2 to 3 cups swiss chard any kind, leaves only chopped
- ½ lb. cooked elbow pasta
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley + more for garnish
Instructions
- To see the full recipe card and instructions, please visit The Kitchenthusiast.
To see the full recipe card and instructions, please visit KitchenAid’s blog, The Kitchenthusiast.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with KitchenAid. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting me in working with the brands that I use and love.
Mir says
September 21, 2015 at 5:24 amMy mom cooked dinner every night after she got home at 6 from her job, and she hated every minute of it. I could tell. After we left home, she said to my dad, “I did the first 25 years. Dinner’s your job now.” So he learned how to cook! He makes a mean bolognese.
So I never had the childhood soups and comfort meals, but it sounds like your mom had that down! And you definitely do. This looks so good. And much needed, now that temps are dropping!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
September 21, 2015 at 6:12 amOh this soup looks just perfect for the cooler weather, Alice! This is one of my favorite soups to order at restaurants, so I’m loving your homemade version. Sounds so warm and comforting!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
September 21, 2015 at 7:20 amI couldn’t agree more – soup is the ultimate comfort food. So wonderful you’re carrying on the family tradition!
Kelly says
September 21, 2015 at 7:50 amI feel the same way and still love watching my mom in the kitchen cooking. It always gives me the warmest feeling just like this soup. It looks amazing and I love that soup is your eldest daughter’s favorite too 🙂 So comforting and delicious!
Kathryn Doherty says
September 21, 2015 at 7:59 amBring on soup season! This looks so chock full of goodness – love the butternut squash and Swiss chard combo 🙂 Two of my favorites that I always seem to forget about… Plus pasta and beans? Oh yes!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
September 21, 2015 at 8:25 amI’ve had plenty of pasta e fagioli in my day but can honestly say I’ve never had it with butternut squash. I love this autumn addition!! Nothing says comfort like soup!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
September 21, 2015 at 8:47 amOh I always loved being in the kitchen with my great aunts, grandma and mom. They just seemed to KNOW everything. I think I’m starting to get that way, and it’s pretty neat. Love this hearty soup, Alice. Hooray for Fall!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
September 21, 2015 at 8:49 amThis is exactly what my meatless Monday needs! This looks so comforting and perfect for this colder weather! Pinned!
David @ Spiced says
September 21, 2015 at 9:35 amSince my wife comes from a crazy large Italian family, pasta fagiol is a staple around here! I’m digging this vegetarian version, though…looks delicious, Alice!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
September 21, 2015 at 9:37 amI totally need that cast iron cookware! Love that the top doubles as its own piece of kitchenware! I also totally need this soup! Pasta e Fagioli is my husband’s favorite soup, but I dig more vegetarian soups, so this little number is perfect for both of us! Love it Alice! Pinned! Cheers to a fabulous day!!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
September 21, 2015 at 9:37 amI loved watching my mother and grandmother cook, too! It’s still 90+ degrees in Sacramento, but I’m so ready for soups right now. Love the butternut squash and tomato flavor combination here!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
September 21, 2015 at 9:41 amSoup really is the ultimate comfort food and what a great way to get more veggies into your diet too.
Mira says
September 21, 2015 at 9:43 amI love watching my mom cook and she was also busy running a business, when we were little, but always found time for easy meals like soups or pasta! This looks perfect, I woke up late this morning and I’m ready to have it for lunch 🙂 Pinning!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
September 21, 2015 at 9:46 amI’ve been on a soup kick lately so this is perfect. With the weather turning cooler, there really is nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup for lunch or dinner. Love this recipe, Alice!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
September 21, 2015 at 10:38 amWhat?! A grill pan on the lid? That is so cool! I’m so jealous. Soup is by far one of my favorite fall meals — so perfect with a slice of fresh bread!
Amy @Very Culinary says
September 21, 2015 at 10:43 am100’s all week where I am. Fall? What Fall? HA. Good thing I cook soup even when it’s hot out. This one looks absolutely fantastic!
Elisa says
September 21, 2015 at 11:01 amI love how you revisited this Italian soup by adding fall veggies like butternut squash and swiss chard to it! Here in Italy pasta e fagioli is a real staple dish during the colder months and it’s always good to find some ways to switch it up a little and make it a little bit different, so thanks for this inspiration, I’ll be trying it out for sure next time I make it.
xo
hipfoodiemom says
September 21, 2015 at 11:06 amThank you so much, Elisa!!!
Shinee says
September 21, 2015 at 11:05 amAs a kid, soups were my least favorite! Now, I can’t get enough of them. I’m so excited for cooler weather, just because I can eat soup every single day! Haha Love this comfort soup, Alice! Can’t wait to try it!
naomi says
September 21, 2015 at 12:20 pmBring on the soups! I love this one, Alice – so full of flavor and comfort!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
September 21, 2015 at 3:17 pmMy daughter loves pasta e fagioli – if she could eat that and nothing else, she’d be happy! So, I especially love your version, Alice. I love the butternut squash and swiss chard you added in! Perfect for cooler weather!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
September 21, 2015 at 4:18 pmThis is my idea of an easy and comforting weeknight meal! Love your vegetarian spin on pasta e fagioli!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
September 21, 2015 at 4:20 pmmy mom is pretty much the same way..i want to try some of her Nepali recipes and she will tell me put a little bit of this and little bit of that..and im like no momm, recipes..
Zainab says
September 21, 2015 at 5:21 pmMy goal is to be like your mom…make dinner every night for the family and get Elliott in the kitchen one day! Love the flavors of this soup…so comforting!
marcie says
September 21, 2015 at 5:52 pmYour mom sounds wonderful — what a great role model for you! I love the sound of this soup — so hearty and delicious!
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
September 21, 2015 at 7:01 pmWhat a beautiful recipe Alice. I love chard in soups and there is something so satisfying about making soup in a beautiful pot. This just hits all the right notes!!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
September 21, 2015 at 7:24 pmI could be friends with Phoebe, since I’m a complete soup fan, but never made pasta e fagioli. It sounds and looks amazing Alice! Perfect for the cold weather approaching.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
September 21, 2015 at 11:00 pmThis looks amazing! Pasta makes everything better 🙂
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
September 22, 2015 at 10:57 amLove the squash and chard addition, this is such a perfect fall recipe, easy, delicious and super filling!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
September 22, 2015 at 11:29 amI am SO with you on the soup – it’s the one thing that I miss during summertime, because cold soups are just Not The Same. This one is like a cheery dish full of fall flavors!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
September 22, 2015 at 12:00 pmAbsolutely perfect weeknight meal! This looks fabulous girl!
Amy | Club Narwhal says
September 22, 2015 at 2:08 pmAlice, you’re totally right–soup is pure homey comfort and this one looks delicious and healthy. For similar reasons I am always into soup, which explains why most of my go-to recipes are served in big bowls with hunks of bread 😉
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
September 22, 2015 at 4:33 pmOoo… I love pasta e fagioli, but I haven’t had it in ages! Oh, Alice! Your recipe is giving me some serious cravings. And I love your seasonal addition of butternut squash – perfect for fall 🙂 Pinned of course.
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
September 27, 2015 at 6:57 pmI am so excited for soup season and so excited to try this!! Love that you added butternut squash to this!!!!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
September 28, 2015 at 6:01 amI always envied people that didn’t measure ingredients! I’m able to sometimes, but my OCD won’t allow it other times :/ This looks like a delicious soup my family will love!