Make It Count Kitchen

This comforting bowl of Pasta Fagioli skips the beans but keeps all the depth, richness, and texture you crave in a classic Italian soup. With lean ground beef, tender vegetables, kale, and macaroni simmered in a savory tomato broth, it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or chilly evenings when you need something satisfying and simple.

🍅 Ingredients

• 1 lb 93/7 ground beef
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, sliced into thin discs
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 7 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 24 oz tomato sauce
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 cup dry macaroni
• 1 parmesan rind (optional but adds amazing depth)
• 2 handfuls chopped kale
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• Shaved parmesan and dried parsley, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the veggies
   Heat avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and red bell pepper. Season with oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 8 minutes, until the veggies soften and start to caramelize.
2. Add garlic and tomato paste
   Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often to deepen the flavor.
3. Brown the beef
   Add ground beef to the pot. Cook until browned and crumbly, about 5–6 minutes, draining excess fat if needed.
4. Build the broth
   Pour in beef broth and tomato sauce, then add bay leaves and the parmesan rind. Stir to combine and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
5. Cook the pasta
   Stir in dry macaroni and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the pasta reaches your preferred tenderness.
6. Add kale and finish
   Stir in chopped kale until wilted. Add lemon pepper seasoning and give it one final stir. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serve and garnish
   Ladle into bowls and top with shaved parmesan and a sprinkle of dried parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread for a perfect cozy meal.

💡 Tips & Variations

• No parmesan rind? Add 1–2 tbsp of grated parmesan to the broth instead.
• Make it spicy: Add a touch of crushed Calabrian chili or extra red pepper flakes.
• For meal prep: This soup thickens as it sits — just add a splash of broth when reheating.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

This bean-free twist on Pasta Fagioli has all the comforting flavors of the original, without the heaviness. The rich tomato broth, tender vegetables, and perfectly seasoned ground beef create a wholesome, balanced meal that tastes like it simmered for hours — even though it’s weeknight-friendly.