Pasta e fagioli

Pasta e fagioli (Italian: [ˈpasta e ffaˈdʒɔːli]; lit. 'pasta and beans') is a traditional Italian pasta soup of which there are several regional variants.

Pasta e fagioli

Alternative names	Pasta fagioli, pasta fasul, pašta fažol, pasta fazool
Type	Pasta dish
Place of origin	Italy
Region or state	Calabria Campania Emilia Lazio Lombardy Piedmont Tuscany Veneto
Main ingredients	Small pasta (elbow macaroni, ditalini), cannellini beans or borlotti beans, olive oil, garlic, onions, spices, stewed tomato or tomato paste
Media: Pasta e fagioli

It is often called pasta fasul or pasta fazool in the New York Italian dialect, derived from its Neapolitan name, pasta e fasule.^[1]

Preparation

Recipes for pasta e fagioli vary, the only true requirement being that beans and pasta are included.^[2] While the dish varies from region to region, it is most commonly made using cannellini beans, navy beans, or borlotti beans and a small variety of pasta such as elbow macaroni or ditalini.^[3] The base typically includes olive oil, garlic, minced onion, celery, carrots, and often stewed tomatoes or tomato paste. Some variations omit tomatoes and instead use a broth base. Preparation may be vegetarian, or contain meat (often bacon, ground beef, or pancetta) or a meat-based stock.^{[citation needed]}

Variations

The recipe varies greatly based on the region or town in which it is prepared, depending on available ingredients. The consistency of the dish can vary, with some being soupy, while others are much thicker. For instance, in Bari the dish is thicker in consistency and uses mixed pasta shapes. It also uses pancetta in the base of the sauce. Other varieties call for the beans to be passed through a food mill, giving it a stew-like consistency.^{[citation needed]} Pasta e ceci, a version replacing the beans with chickpeas, is common in Rome.^[4]

In popular culture

"Pastafazoola", a 1927 novelty song by Van and Schenck, capitalizes on the Neapolitan pronunciation in the rhyme, "Don't be a fool, eat pasta fazool". The song "That's Amore", by Warren and Brooks (popularized by Dean Martin), includes the rhyme "When the stars make you drool, just like pasta fazool, that's amore". Pasta e fagioli was also among Dean Martin's favorite foods.^[5]

See also

•  Italy portal
•  Food portal

• List of pasta
• List of pasta dishes
• List of legume dishes
• Minestrone

References

1. Tony, Morinelli. "Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fasul)". The Food Table. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
2. . Archived from the original on 2016-07-02.
3. Scott, Liz (2008-12-02). The Complete Idiot's Guide to High-Fiber Cooking. p. 195. ISBN 9781440697487.
4. "Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew) Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
5. The Rat Pack’s Favorite Foods (and Drinks!) Amanda Tarlton, Taste of Home (February 25, 2022)