DESCRIPTION
This version of Pasta e Fagioli Soup is brightened up with some lima beans. Frozen lima beans are a great ingredient to have on hand to throw into soups and stews.
To make this recipe in under 15 minutes first read through it. As you read, gather together all of the pots, pans and tools that you’ll need. Also grab all of the ingredients but don’t prep them yet. All of the prep is given in the instructions and counts towards the 15 minute recipe time.
Yield: 10 cups
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups frozen lima beans
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- Salt
- 2 cups mini shells (or other pasta with 6 minute cooking time)
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 and 1/2 cup carrot matchsticks (sometimes labelled as shredded carrots)
- 2 ribs of celery
- 1 small onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tsp. dry thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp. dry rosemary leaves
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15.5 oz.) can cannellini beans
Instructions
- Put the frozen lima beans in a large microwave-safe bowl with the chicken stock. Put in the microwave on high for 7 minutes.
- Fill a medium saucepan with hot tap water. Cover and put over high heat. When it comes to the boil, add 2 teaspoons of salt and then the mini shells. Cook until they reach the desired doneness and then drain.
- Meanwhile, put a large pot over medium heat. Roughly chop the bacon and add it to the pot. Roughly chop the carrot matchsticks and add them to the pot. Stir. Finely chop the celery. Add it and stir. Chop the onion. Add it and stir.
- Mince the garlic clove and add it to the pot along with the thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir.
- Add the crushed tomatoes. Drain the cannellini beans and add them. Stir. Increase heat to high. Cover.
- Add the hot stock and lima beans to the large pot. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until the lima beans are tender.
- Add the drained pasta to the pot and serve.