Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 ounces sweet bulk Italian sausage
• 1 stalk celery , diced
• 0.5 yellow onion , chopped
• 0.75 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 0.25 cups tomato paste
• 3 cups chicken broth, or more , divided, as needed
• 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes, or , crushed, to taste
• 0.25 teaspoons oregano , dried
• Salt and freshly black pepper , ground, to taste
• 3 cups Swiss chard , chopped
• 1 can cannellini beans , 15 ounce, white kidney, drained
• 0.25 cups Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus additional , or , grated, to taste, for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. 2

   Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced celery and chopped onion. Cook until onions are translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add dry pasta; cook and stir for 2 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir in tomato paste until evenly distributed, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in 3 cups broth; increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add more broth if needed.

4. 4

   Place chopped chard in a bowl. Cover with cold water and rinse leaves; any grit will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Transfer chard to a colander to drain briefly; add to soup. Cook and stir until leaves wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. 5

   Stir in white beans; continue cooking and stirring until pasta is tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese. Serve topped with additional grated cheese.

6. 6

   Enjoy!