Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup
This Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup is a hearty Italian-inspired dish made with Italian sausage, three types of beans, ditalini pasta, and a flavorful tomato broth. It’s a one-pot, comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner and ready in just over an hour.
8 Servings
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup ditalini pasta or orzo, macaroni, etc.
For the Soup:
- 4 slices bacon 4 oz, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 lb Italian sausage ground
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 large carrot diced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15.5 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15.25 oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme each sprig with 3 or 4 stems
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth use 4 cups for a thinner consistency
To Finish:
- ¼ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley finely chopped
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves chopped (or to taste)
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta
- In the Instant Pot, combine water, salt, and olive oil. Select Sauté mode and allow the water to heat until it begins to simmer. Add the pasta and stir to prevent sticking.
- Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) mode and set the cooking time to 4 minutes on High Pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release by turning the steam release valve to Venting. Once the pressure is fully released and the float valve drops, carefully open the lid. Drain the pasta in a colander, rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process, and set aside. Ensure the pasta is completely cooled before incorporating it into the soup.
Sauté the Bacon and Aromatics
- Activate Sauté mode on the Instant Pot and allow it to warm up. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and set it aside. Retain 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon grease in the pot, discarding any excess.
- Add olive oil to the pot, followed by the chopped onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent.
Brown the Sausage and Seasonings
- Add the ground Italian sausage and red pepper flakes to the pot, breaking the meat into smaller pieces as it browns. Once fully cooked, add Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic, celery, and carrots. Stir constantly for 1 minute to enhance the flavors.
Assemble the Soup Base
- Incorporate the diced tomatoes (with liquid), tomato sauce, all three types of beans, bay leaves, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, reserved bacon, and chicken broth. Stir thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are well combined. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent burning.
- Cancel Sauté mode, secure the Instant Pot lid, and set the steam release valve to Sealing.
Pressure Cook the Soup
- Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) mode and set the timer for 7 minutes on High Pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural release for 15 minutes. After this time, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, open the lid.
Incorporate the Final Ingredients
- Stir in the reserved cooked pasta, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Allow the soup to rest for a few minutes, giving the ingredients time to meld together.
Serve and Garnish
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
To adapt this Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup for a gluten-free diet, consider the following substitutions:
- Pasta Alternative: Replace the ditalini pasta with a gluten-free pasta variety, such as chickpea pasta, lentil pasta, or brown rice pasta. Cook separately to prevent excessive starch release.
- Broth: Verify that the chicken broth is certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain additives derived from gluten-containing sources.
- Sausage: Ensure that the Italian sausage used is labeled gluten-free, as some pre-packaged varieties contain fillers or seasonings that include gluten.
- Parmesan Cheese: Some pre-grated Parmesan products contain anti-caking agents that may include gluten. Opt for freshly grated Parmesan for a safe alternative.