Pasta E Fagiola Soup

Ingredients

2  Tablespoons olive or coconut oil
1  pound bulk Italian sausage (hot or mild)
3  cloves garlic minced
1  cup onion, diced
1  cup carrots, diced
1  cup celery, diced
1  teaspoon dried basil
1  teaspoon dried oregano
1  teaspoon dried thyme
1  cup water
3  cups chicken broth
1  cup uncooked ditalini pasta
1  15 oz can red kidney beans, drained
1  15 oz can Great Northern beans, drained
1  15 oz can tomato sauce
1  14.5 oz can Hunt's diced tomatoes with Basil, Garlic, & Oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

If using Italian Sausage links, remove the casing from the links.
If you can't find the ditalini pasta locally, it is available on Amazon.

The following are instructions for the Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. or 8 qt. pressure cooker.  If using the 6 Qt Instant Pot, be sure you do not exceed the maximum fill level of the pot. 

Push the "saute" button on the 6 Qt. or 8 Qt. Instant Pot pressure cooker.  When the display says "Hot" add 1 tablespoon oil, then crumble the uncased Italian Sausage into the pot and saute until browned (about 3 - 5 minutes).  Use the spoon to break up the sausage to the desired size while stirring.  When browned, remove the sausage crumbles from the pot and save for later.  Pour off the excess fat or use a grease mop.

Add 1 Tablespoon of oil to the pot, and add the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery and saute until the onions are translucent.  Then add the basil, oregano, and thyme and saute for additional 2 or 3 minutes.  When finished, press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button to stop the saute mode.

Add the water, and chicken broth and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pot.

Add the remaining ingredients.  The pasta, kidney beans, great northern beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, browned sausage crumbles, and salt and pepper to taste.  Give the pot a good stir.

Put the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the pressure valve is on Seal.  Press the "soup" button, check that it's on High pressure, and set the timer to 20 minutes.  After the cook time is finished, press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button and allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes.  Then release the remaining pressure with a quick pressure release.

The soup is ready to serve, but I prefer to remove the pressure lid and replace it with the optional glass lid.  Then press the "Slow Cook" button, and ensure "normal" is lit.  If not, use the "adjust" button to set to normal.  Simmer for an additional 20 minutes to 1/2 hour.

Serve garnished with your grated cheese of choice.

If you prefer your pasta El Dente, during the 20 minute cook period cook the pasta in salted boiling water to your preference and add to the soup just before serving.


<HOME>                              <BACK TO RECIPES>