Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

Pasta e Fagioli with Roasted Garlic and Fennel

Aired on: December 10, 2010

Make this dish with or without meat for a hearty, slightly sweet spin on a classic.

Ingredients

1 head garlic
2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and pepper
3/4 pound fresh sweet Italian sausage, optional
1 large bulb fresh fennel, quartered and cored then thinly sliced (reserve a few fronds for garnish)
1 onion, quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
A few sprigs each thyme and rosemary, tied together with kitchen twine
2 fresh bay leaves
2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup ditalini or other short-cut pasta with lines
1 24-28 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed well and drained
1 small head or bundle escarole or chard, stemmed and shredded
Grated cheese, Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano, for passing at table, optional

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Heat oven to 425°F.

Cut the end off the head of garlic and drizzle with EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Wrap it in foil and roast to soft, 40-45 minutes. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a small bowl and mash with a fork.

Heat EVOO in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage, if using, and brown and crumble into small bits. Remove and drain, leaving a tablespoon and a half or so of drippings to cook in. Add fennel and onions to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes to soften, then add mashed garlic, herbs and stock. Bring to a boil -- add 1-2 cups water if you like a thin, brothy soup.

When soup comes to a boil, add pasta and cook 2-3 minutes then add white beans and reserved sausage. Continue to cook pasta to al dente, 4-5 minutes more. Turn off heat and wilt in greens, if using.

Serve in shallow bowls then top fennel fronds and cheese, if using.