Family On A Budget

My grandmother used to make pasta e fagioli when I was a kid. This is not her recipe, but an inexpensive recipe that I use. It costs around $2.30 for the entire recipe.

4 cups broth (I used chicken or beef — whichever I have on hand)
2 cups cooked small pasta such as shells or ditalini
2 15 oz cans white northern or canellini beans
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes.
garlic powder (to your taste) or 2 cloves minced sautéed garlic
onion powder (to your taste) or 1/4 chopped sautéed onions.
1 tsp basil (or to taste)
1 tsp italian seasoning (or to taste)
hot pepper flakes (to your taste)

While noodles are cooking, add the remaining ingredients to a small soup pot. Heat at medium for approximately 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are cooked. Add the noodles and let set for about 10 minutes until it cools off a bit.

Serve with bread and olive oil dipping sauce.

This soup tastes even better the second day. I will also throw leftovers in it such as meat sauce from spaghetti, green beans and sometimes spinach for a variation. You can cook your own beans to save more money. Very filling and nutritious