a simple recipe :: pasta e fagioli

I absolutely LOVE the Paste E Fagioli from Olive Garden, so I went on a search to create a recipe that would compare. Unfortunately I didn’t come up with anything that was an exact match, but this is a super substitute! This recipe ends up being a little bit more like a goulash, but it is a perfect meal for those cold winter days. Plus, the fact that it is all made in a crock pot makes it the perfect meal for us busy moms!

Pictured above without the pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (I actually substitute either venison or turkey burger… makes it leaner)
•  1/4 onion, chopped (I hate chunks of onion, so I chop like crazy!)
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (16 oz) can of red kidney beans, drained
• 1 (16 oz) can of great northern beans, drained
• 15 oz of beef stock
• To taste: oregano, pepper, parsley
• 1/2 (20 oz) jar of spaghetti sauce (I use Prego)
• 8 oz pasta (Whatever kind you want… I use shells typically)

Directions:

1. Brown the meat in a skillet.
2. Drain fat from the meat (if you use venison or turkey burger, you will not have to drain). Add everything to the crockpot.
3. Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours
4. During the last 30 mins, add pasta, or you can cook the pasta on the stovetop and add it when you are ready to serve.