chefkellydigby's Recipe

Pasta E Fagioli Casserole

Category: PASTA

I'm not one of the lucky ones who has an Italian Grandma, but my Mom was a great cook and instilled in me the love of Italian cookery. This recipe is an adaptation of a recipe I found. It became a family favorite!

Serves 6
Total Time to Prepare-50 minutes
15-20 minute bake time.

8 oz ditalini pasta, cooked according to package-this is a pasta that looks like mini penne that has been cut into short tubes.
1 pound ground turkey, or ground beef
3 slices of cooked bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup frozen diced carrots
1 stalk celery diced small
1 medium onion small diced
1 cup chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced or pressed
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1(15-19oz) can of cannellini beans or great northern beans
1 (15oz) can of diced Italian style stewed tomatoes, or Mexican style diced tomatoes.
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 can of low sodium cream of chicken soup
Salt & pepper to taste.
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan Cheese, plus 2 Tablespoons.
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs(about 3 slices of bread)
1 Tablespoon melted butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet fry the bacon, and drain off all the fat except for 1 teaspoon.
Place bacon on a paper towel to drain.
Add olive oil to skillet over medium high heat saute onions and celery until tender.
Add ground meat and minced garlic to skillet, brown over medium high heat until no longer pink.
Add tomatoes, chicken stock, cream of soup diced carrots and seasonings to skillet and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stirring frequently.
After 5 minutes of simmering,remove from heat and add pasta,chopped spinach, beans and 2 Tablespoon of grated cheese.
Grease a large casserole dish and add the pasta mixture to it.
In a large zip loc bag add the bread crumbs,parsley, 1/2 cup grated cheese and melted butter. Seal bag and mix well.
Sprinkle evenly over the Pasta.
Bake for 15 minutes uncovered or until it is hot, bubbly and the topping is golden brown and delicious.