You’re totally going to want to cozy up with a bowl of our Easy Pasta e Fagioli in the Crock Pot! This simple yet oh-so-satisfying recipe with tender beef, hearty beans, and comforting pasta puts a delicious twist on the classic Italian favorite, making it sure to be your new winter staple.

a bowl of pasta and beans soup topped with shaved Parmesan.

Why You’ll Love Pasta E Fagioli in the Crock Pot

We’re huge fans of Olive Garden pasta e fagioli and traditional homemade paste e fagioli. But who’s got the time to play soup maestro over a bubbling stove all day?

Not us! That’s why we’ve taken the timeless charm of the classic pasta e fagioli and given it a modern twist.

This pasta and bean soup has all the traditional ingredients and flavors of the original recipe. However, thanks to the crock pot, it’s hassle-free and super easy to make.

Life’s busy, and the stove can be demanding; we get it. That’s why this soup is here to rescue your taste buds with a quick and easy solution!

It’s one of our favorite recipes because it’s: 

  • Made in the crock pot
  • Made with simple, hearty ingredients.
  • Full of proteinfiber, and nutrients
  • Great to make ahead of time, and perfect for feeding a crowd!
beef, veggies, beans, tomato sauce, and seasoning in a slow cooker.

Ingredients You’ll Need 

  • Beef – We prefer to use lean ground beef to prevent excess oil and fat. However, any percentage you have on hand is fine. Or, substitute it with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground Italian sausage.
  • Olive Oil – Used to sauté the ingredients and add a boost of healthy omega fats. 
  • Seasonings – Salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves enhance the natural savory flavors for a delicious dish. Feel free to include a dash of red pepper flakes for a bit of extra heat!
  • Vegetables – Carrots, onions, celery, and garlic help add extra texture, flavor, and nutrients. Then, crushed tomatoes (diced tomatoes will also work) and tomato sauce create a rich, flavorful broth.
  • Broth – Beef broth helps thin out the broth. We recommend using low-sodium varieties so as not to overpower the dish. 
  • Beans – Cannellini beans and chickpeas add extra texture, fiber, and plant-based protein. You can also use drained and rinsed red kidney beans or great northern beans (white beans) if preferred.
  • Pasta – We prefer to use orzo for a hearty pasta and bean soup. However, any small pasta like ditalini pasta tastes great.
uncooked orzo on top of pasta sauce.

How to Make Crock Pot Pasta E Fagioli

This may be the easiest pasta and bean soup recipe you’ll ever encounter! It’s a game-changer that only takes a few minutes of your prep time.

Then, you can be the culinary hero who comes home to a ready-made dinner. Minimal effort, maximum reward.

Here’s what to do: 

  1. Cook the beef. Brown the beef in oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Break it up into pieces as it cooks, and drain the excess fat.
  2. Combine the ingredients. Transfer the beef to a 7-quart crock pot followed by the remaining ingredients except for the orzo. 
  3. Cook. Stir to combine, cover the crock pot, and cook on high.
  4. Add the pasta. Stir the orzo into the dish, and continue to cook until the pasta is al dente. 
  5. Serve. Add extra broth as needed to thin out your soup. Then, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley, and serve warm!
close up image of pasta and beans soup.

Make Ahead and Storage Options

We love to make a double batch of this easy pasta e fagioli in the crock pot to enjoy throughout the week! Follow the instructions below to keep it fresh. 

Refrigerator: For the best results and to avoid a soggy texture, omit the pasta until you’re ready to serve. Transfer the soup to an airtight container, and store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.

Freezer: Toss the orzo in a bit of oil to prevent it from sticking together. Then, store the orzo and soup in separate freezer-safe containers in the freezer for up to three months. 

Reheat: To enjoy, thaw your ingredients in the fridge overnight. Then, combine the pasta and soup. Warm the mixture in a slow cooker on low, on the stovetop over medium heat, or in the microwave.

overhead image of pasta and beans soup in a slow cooker.

Serving Suggestions

Get ready to elevate your slow cooker pasta e fagioli soup recipe into a full-blown feast! This powerhouse of a recipe is a nutrition-packed dynamo that can stand tall on its own.

But here are some mouthwatering pairings to turn your soup night into a celebration: 

a spoon of pasta and beans soup being lifted from a slow cooker.

Common Questions About This Crock Pot Pasta E Fagioli Recipe

Is this soup a main dish or a side dish?

This soup, made with protein, carbohydrates, and lots of veggies, typically serves as a main course.

What is the difference between minestrone soup and pasta e fagioli?

The primary difference between minestrone and pasta e fagioli is the use of vegetables. For example, minestrone typically contains lots of different vegetables. Meanwhile, pasta e fagioli features just a few simple veggies like onion and garlic.

What does pasta e fagioli mean in English?

Pasta e fagioli means “pasta and beans” in Italian.

More Easy Soup Recipes

Looking for more simple yet tasty soup recipes to add to your repertoire? Here’s a lineup of comforting soups that’ll warm your soul without breaking a sweat in the kitchen:

a bowl of Slow Cooker Pasta and Beans Soup (Pasta E Fagioli) topped with Parmesan cheese.

Pasta E Fagioli in Crock Pot

5 from 6 votes
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total: 3 hours 32 minutes
Enjoy the flavor of your favorite Italian comfort food with half the work thanks to this easy pasta e fagioli in crock pot recipe!

Ingredients  

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 whole carrots diced
  • 3 celery stalks diced
  • 6-8 cups low sodium beef broth*
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoons thyme
  • 2 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons basil
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup dried orzo pasta or ditalini
  • Optional Garnish: Parmesan cheese and parsley

Instructions 

  • In a pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the ground beef, and cooked until browned, breaking into crumbles. Drain any excess fat.
    1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef
  • Transfer the beef to a 7-quart slow cooker. Add the onions, carrots, celery, broth, tomato sauce, beans, seasonings, and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine, and adjust the seasonings to taste.
    1 medium onion, 3 whole carrots, 3 celery stalks, 6-8 cups low sodium beef broth*, 1 can cannellini beans, 1 can chickpeas, 1 can kidney beans, 1 teaspoons thyme, 2 teaspoon oregano, 2 teaspoons basil, 2 whole bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste, 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • Cover and cook on high for 3 ½ hours.
  • Add the uncooked orzo pasta, stir, and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
    3/4 cup dried orzo pasta or ditalini
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.
    Optional Garnish: Parmesan cheese and parsley
  • Store orzo and soup separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Equipment

Notes

Add an additional 1-2 cups broth as needed to thin out the soup. 

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1310mg | Potassium: 1692mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 8195IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!
a bowl of pasta and beans soup topped with shaved Parmesan cheese.

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Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    so far I can’t get enough of your recipes. In case you didn’t notice. I’ve been asking you for recipes and I’ve been printing them for a later date. keep it up! dolls. you doing a great job!

  2. It looks delicious and I will be making it. What do you mean on #6? How can you store the orzo and soup in separate containers since they are cooked together?

    1. We recommend cooking them separately if you plan on making this ahead of time or having leftovers!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

  3. 5 stars
    This soup was so easy to make and had such a rich flavor! My 1yr old absolutely devoured it. This will definitely be in our soup roster.

    1. In general, 1 hour on high is 2 hours on low. So, about 7 hours, but be sure to keep a close eye on it as every slow cooker cooks differently!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa