Healthy Pasta e Fagioli {GF, Low Calorie}

Healthy Pasta Fagioli is a cozy, protein and fiber packed low calorie dinner recipe. Made with a few simple ingredients swaps to make it lower calorie and nutritionally balanced for a tasty and filling meal. Gluten Free + Low Calorie

If you're craving a hearty, stick to your ribs dinner recipe, you came to the right place today! This healthy version of pasta fagioli is crazy delicious. It feeds a crowd and is made with inexpensive ingredients!

It's that kind of recipe that requires minimal prep and you can toss together easily too!

What Makes This Pasta e Fagioli Recipe Low Calorie and Better For You

Pasta fagioli is an Italian soup made with veggies, beans and pasta. While those foods are good for you, the recipe is quite high in carbohydrates and does not have enough protein to balance blood sugar.

I made the nutrition better balanced by adding lean ground meat and swapping regular pasta for high protein plant-based pasta and added more vegetables. These simple swaps, not only save you calories but are better for your metabolic hormones - leaving you more energized and with fewer cravings!

Ingredients To Make A Healthy Pasta e Fagioli

Here's what you need to make this healthy pasta fagioli recipe!

• Ground Turkey or lean ground meat of choice (I use ButcherBox)
• Carrots
• White Onion
• Garlic
• Chicken Broth
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Tomato Sauce
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
• Cannelli Beans
• Chickpea Pasta Elbows
• Italian Seasoning
• Parmesan Cheese

You will also need a large pot, cutting board, colander and knives.

How To Make Pasta e Fagioli Gluten Free

Making Healthy Pasta e Fagioli is very simple. You do need to prep the veggies, but you can make this fast and easy by roughly chopping your veggies in a small blender. I like to do this ahead of time so all the ingredients are ready to cook!

The first step is to sauté the veggies in the pot with the olive oil. Once the veggies are soft, add the ground meat and spices - break up the meat as it browns with a spatula.

Next add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, chicken broth and pasta. Cover and bring the pot to a boil. Once the pot is boiling, reduce to a medium simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the parmesan, spinach and beans then serve!

Can You Make This Pasta e Fagioli Recipe In The Crockpot

Yes, you can make this pasta e fagioli in a slow cooker. I personally recommend using the stovetop. It's simple and fast! But if you love your crockpot (believe me - I love mine too!), you can give it a go.

I recommend you follow the steps as outlined in the recipe except do not add the pasta, beans and parmesan until 20 minutes before you're ready to eat. You can cook the other ingredients on low for 6 hours.

Can You Make Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli

Yes, this pasta e fagioli recipe can be made in an Instant Pot. To do that, follows steps one and two as outlined in the recipe by using the sauté function on your Instant Pot.

When you get to step three, add the ingredients as outlined, then cover the pot and pressure cook 7 minutes. Note it will take time for the pot to come to pressure. After it cooks, carefully remove the lid and stir in the beans and parmesan.

Storing Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e fagioli can be stored in a container in the refrigerator up to 7 days. You can reheat it in a crockpot, stove or microwave. Pasta e fagioli is thick and will not have the same consistency as soup. When you store your pasta e fagioli in the refrigerator, it will absorb some of the liquid. I recommend adding a little broth for reheating.

You can freeze pasta e fagioli, but note that the freezing may alter the consistency making it mushier. It will still taste delicious though!

Substitutions For Pasta e Fagioli

Here's a few substitutions you can make with the recipe. Keep in mind if you substitute any ingredients, it will change the nutrition values you see in the recipe below.

• Ground Turkey - Any lean meat can be substituted like ground chicken or lean ground beef.
• Chickpea Pasta - I highly recommend chickpea pasta or another plant-based pasta as they are higher in protein and are a good source of fiber. You can use a whole wheat pasta, but ensure it is whole grain or whole wheat not enriched wheat.
• Broth - Any broth may be used in the recipe.
• Beans - Any beans may be used. I recommend using canned beans. If you choose to use dry beans, cook them ahead of time before adding to the soup.
• Dairy Free - Omit the parmesan.
• Spinach - Parsley, basil, kale or any leafy greens can be added instead.

What You Need For This Recipe

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.