Whip up this savory Giada Pasta e Fagioli with Mussels with just 14 ingredients and in 1 hour and 15 minutes! Made with pasta, mussels, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, and pancetta, it’s a dinner that’s sure to impress. Serve it with a twist, topped with crusty bread for that extra flair.

Recipe Ingredients

• 3 cups mixed dry pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, halved
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 2¼ pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• Kosher salt

How To Make Giada Pasta e Fagioli with Mussels

Cook Pasta and Vegetables

1. Cook Pasta: Add pasta and cook until the biggest, thickest pieces are just al dente, 7-12 minutes.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and red pepper flakes, cooking until softened, 3-4 minutes.
3. Add Tomatoes and Mussels: Add tomatoes, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes. Add mussels in a single layer, cover, and cook until opened, 7-10 minutes, shaking occasionally.

Finish and Serve

1. Discard Unopened Mussels: Remove any unopened mussels from the pan.
2. Add Beans and Season: Stir in cannellini beans and add a pinch of kosher salt. Mix gently.
3. Blend Flavors: Cook over medium heat for 1 minute to blend flavors, then serve.

Recipe Tips

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to give the dish a smoky, savory flavor, or a dash of red pepper flakes for an Italian-inspired kick, amplifying the overall richness and complexity of the pasta e fagioli.
• Make It a Meal: Transform this hearty pasta e fagioli into a satisfying meal by serving it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad, allowing the comforting, cheesy goodness to take center stage.
• Mussel Magic: To ensure succulent, tender mussels, be gentle when scrubbing them, and pat dry with paper towels before adding to the pot, helping them retain their brininess and freshness throughout the cooking process.
• Time-Saving Tip: Prepare the aromatic vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and celery, in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day, saving time during meal prep and minimizing kitchen chaos.
• Pasta Variations: Substitute the pappardelle with other wide, flat pasta shapes like fettuccine or tagliatelle to change the texture and presentation, or try using gluten-free options for a more inclusive, flexible recipe.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Giada Recipes:

• Giada Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
• Giada Prosecco Float
• Giada De Laurentiis Vegetarian Chili Verde