Pasta Fagioli Recipe

Feeling famished on a wintry day?  Put on your most comfy clothes and try this family favorite!  If you can operate a stove and a can opener, this recipe is a cinch.  Best of all: it's healthy and filling.  Pasta Fagioli will warm you up and leave you satisfied.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cups each: diced carrots and celery
1 diced onion
5 cloves minced garlic
1/2 of a box of ditalini pasta {box is usually 16 oz}
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup instant beef bouillon granules
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 can tomato paste {6 oz}
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce {Tabasco}
2 tablespoons parsely
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon rosemary
Pinch of salt
1 can {15 - 16 oz} drained & rinsed; red kidney beans {cannellini}
1 can {15 - 16 oz} drained & rinsed; white kidney beans

Directions:

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet.

{you'll need room for additional ingredients}

Once beef is cooked, drain the grease.

Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, celery, & carrots to the beef.  

Sauté for 10 minutes & set aside.

Heat water in microwave for 2 minutes.

Pour into large pot and stir in bouillon mixture. 

Stir in oregano, black pepper, Tabasco sauce, red pepper, 

parsley, thyme, basil, rosemary, and salt.

Simmer for 5 minutes.

Add spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, & 4 cups of water. 

Optional - more water may be added for preferred consistency.

Add beans, beef, & veggies to pot.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

Cook pasta while the soup simmers & add pasta just before serving.

Enjoy!

♥  N & E

Introducing Nicole & Elizabeth

Elizabeth {aka Eli - as in Ellie} and I are very dear friends and former college roommates who love the simple things in life.  Nothing makes us happier than a long girl talk, travel plans, crafty projects, and cooking something tasty!  If you can combine any of these things, we're very happy girls. 

Eli and I met a few years ago through her boyfriend, Sam, and attended the same University.  Eli has a degree in Marketing.  My husband, Michael, Sam, and I all have our degrees in International Affairs.  After taking a few courses together, Sam and Michael came to the realization that both couples needed roommates - desperately.  

{Nicole & Eli}

Although we liked Sam, we were only school acquaintances.  Signing a lease with anyone is a risk as roommate situations can go sour - fast.  We decided to meet up at a cafe to get to know each other.  This was the first time Eli and I had really met, and to say we hit it off would be an understatement!  What started as a short breakfast meeting ended four hours later during lunch.  We decided to go ahead and sign a lease after that meeting.
 

 {Eli & Nicole}

God clearly had plans for us because friendships like this are one in a million.  I would have been content with a fairly decent roommate.  To our surprise, we've formed a lifelong friendship.  And after planning many pot lucks, parties, showers, weddings, photo shoots, and get-togethers, we realized that we both have a knack for all things crafty, creative, and lovely.  We're both avid blog readers and are fond anything DIY.  Of all the things we love, what absolutely thrills us, is taking something ordinary and making it adorable. 

It only made sense for us to create our own blog comprised of all our ideas and experiments.  We hope everyone will join with us in our addiction to friendship, celebrations, and life!

With love,
N & E