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–+ servings
Creamy pasta soup in two bowls.
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5 from 3 votes

Creamy Pasta Soup

With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this cozy and Creamy Pasta Soup to share with the kids in under 30 minutes. It's loaded with protein, fiber, flavor...and is so easy!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Calories: 491kcal
Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup grated onion (about 1 small onion peeled and ends discarded)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 quart reduced-sodium broth (chicken or vegetable broth)
  • 14 ounces white beans (rinsed and drained; optional)
  • 2½ cups ditalini (or about 8 ounces)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup cream
  • salt and pepper to taste (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a medium pot over medium heat. When warm, add the onion and garlic. Stir to coat and cook for 6 minutes, or until just starting to soften.
  • Add the broth and raise the heat to high. When the broth starts to boil, turn down the heat to medium so it simmers. Cook for 4-6 minutes or until the veggies are completely softened.
  • Optional: Add the broth, garlic, and onion mixture to a blender. Add the beans and blend to make a smooth, creamy broth. (You can skip this step if you prefer.)
  • Add the pasta to the simmering broth. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente
  • Stir in the cream and Parmesan.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm, topped with lemon zest, if desired.

Notes

      • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Warm in a heat-safe bowl in a small pot or in the microwave, adding broth if desired.
      • Use my Vegetable Broth to make this vegetarian. 
      • Make this easier by starting with pre-cut onion (available in the freezer aisle of your supermarket) and jarred or frozen minced garlic.
      • Simmer a Parmesan rind in the broth for extra flavor.
      • Add peas, shredded chicken or white beans to add more protein.
      • Add minced carrots to the pan with the onion to add a veggie, or stir in baby spinach to wilt at the end.
      • Add more broth to the soup when reheating as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 4mg