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Italian White Bean, Pancetta, and Tortellini Soup

Use either fresh or frozen tortellini for this soup, a twist on the traditional tortellini en brodo that is a traditional Christmas dish all over northern Italy. White beans and the pancetta make this one very hearty and even more flavorful.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

3

tablespoons olive oil

4

ounces pancetta, chopped

3

large shallots, chopped

1

carrot, peeled and chopped

2

garlic cloves, chopped

1

(15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

4

cups chopped Swiss chard (1 bunch)

6

cups low-sodium chicken broth

1

(9-ounce) package cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen

1

/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large, heavy soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta, shallots, carrot, and garlic and cook until the pancetta is crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans, Swiss chard, and broth.

    Step 2

    Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the tortellini and cook 5 minutes for fresh, 8 minutes for frozen, or until just tender. Season with pepper and serve.

Everyday Pasta