Pasta Fagioli (or some say Pasta Fazool) is a traditional Italian dish with pasta and beans.  It is a hearty meal that is great in the colder months, but we enjoy it ll the time!  My Dad taught me this recipe. I believe it is a riff on one of my grandmothers recipes, but I am not sure - it is a hand me down recipe! 

Timing

Total Time:  30 minutes
Prep Time:  14 Minutes
Cook Time:   16 Minutes

Servings:  4

2 cans chicken broth
2 cans cannelloni beans
4 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
1-2 heads of escarole, cleaned and broken into pieces
4 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
Virgin Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Red pepper flakes
Cooked pasta

Fry bacon and place on paper towels. Once cool, chop or cut into bite sized pieces.

Coat the bottom of pan (large frying pan or pot) with olive oil and heat. Add sliced garlic and cook approximately 2 minutes until fragrant (do not brown). Add chicken broth and escarole. Add 1 can of beans with juices and cook approximately 8 minutes. Add chopped bacon and the other can of beans (drained of juices) and cook for 5 more minutes. Pour over cooked pasta. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.

Serve over penne or other pasta.