Ditalini Pasta
Tiny tube pasta in a garlicky tomato broth with cannellini beans — a humble, hearty bowl that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 3 tbspolive oil
- 1 mediumyellow onion(finely diced)
- 4 clovesgarlic(minced)
- 2 tbsptomato paste
- 1 cancrushed tomatoes(28 oz)
- 2 canscannellini beans(15 oz each, drained and rinsed)
- 4 cupslow-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tspdried oregano
- ½ tspred pepper flakes
- 1 tspkosher salt(plus more to taste)
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 1 ½ cupsditalini pasta(dry, about 8 oz)
- 2 tbspfresh parsley(roughly chopped)
- ½ cupParmesan cheese(freshly grated, for serving)
Method
- 01
Heat the 3 tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.
- 02
Add the 1 medium yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes until softened and translucent.
- 03
Add the 4 cloves garlic and ½ tsp red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- 04
Push the aromatics to the side and add the 2 tbsp tomato paste directly to the center of the pot. Cook the paste undisturbed for 90 seconds until it darkens slightly, then stir it into the onion mixture.
- 05
Pour in the 1 can crushed tomatoes and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 06
Add the 2 cans cannellini beans, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- 07
Add the 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta directly to the pot. Stir immediately to prevent clumping, then reduce heat to medium.
- 08
Cook uncovered for 9–11 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the broth has thickened to a stew-like consistency.
- 09
Remove from heat and taste for salt, adjusting as needed. The broth will continue to thicken as it sits.
- 10
Ladle into bowls and finish each with the 2 tbsp fresh parsley and a generous handful of ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with extra olive oil if desired.
Adapted from public domain & community sources