One-Pot Pasta e Fagioli - Bean and Pasta Stew

By tulawdog

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried cannelloni beans
• 5 slices bacon, diced (or substitute 1 tablespoon olive oil for vegetarian version)
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced thin
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 pound pasta
• 5 thyme sprigs
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 10 ounces baby spinach

Preparation

Step 1

Pour the beans in a large mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Let sit at least 6 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
In a heavy stock pot or dutch oven, fry the bacon over medium heat. Once all the fat has rendered, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Pour off all put one tablespoon of bacon fat. Cook the onions slowly with 1/2 teaspoon of salt until they caramelize and turn golden brown, 20-30 minutes. Add the celery and cook just until the celery is softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Remove half of the onion mixture and reserve with the bacon. Deglaze the pan with one cup of water, scraping up any brown residue that has formed on the bottom of the pan.
Drain the beans and pour them into the pot with the remaining onions. Add the bay leaf and enough water to cover the beans and onions by one inch. Cover the pot and bake in the oven for an hour. After an hour, check the beans every 15 minutes until they are completely soft.
Return the pot to the stove top and set over medium-high heat. Add the bacon, reserved onions, whole thyme sprigs, remaining salt, and pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. Add more water if necessary.
Add the spinach to the pot and stir until it is wilted. Remove the bay leaf and the thyme stems. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
This stew will keep for one week refrigerated.