Recipe of the Week - Pasta e' Fagiole

This is a favorite at my house.  Well, it is for my hubby and myself.  My kids mostly just eat the pasta!  But I am counting on them one day really enjoying it as much as we do.  It's not really like the Olive Garden version.  At least in my opinion.  Make it and judge for yourself, that's the only way to know!  This recipe makes about 1 gallon so it serves 16 people or more. 

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
2 cups carrots, chopped
2 cups celery, chopped
1 cup beef bouillon
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon pepper
6 cups pasta sauce, chunky
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups water, or more if needed
2 cups pasta shells (small) cooked

Saute meat in olive oil.  I do it all in one pot. 

Saves dirtying up another pan.  I don't like doing dishes.

I chop up my onion, carrots and celery with my food chopper so that they are in small pieces.  It doesn't take them as long to cook and if they are smaller, there is a better chance that they will sneak themselves into my kids. 

Add onion, carrots and celery and saute briefly.

Add beef boullion, parsley, oregano, hot sauce, pepper, pasta sauce and water (4-6 cups).

Simmer 15 minutes.

Add the beans and sing the song.  **Beans!  Beans!  The magical fruit!....**

Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the cooked pasta shells.

Simmer for another 10 minutes.

And you are done!