Did you hear about the Olive Garden restaurant review that went viral a while back? To most people, Olive Garden’s just a basic chain restaurant. It doesn’t taste like your Italian grandma’s home cooking, but overall, it’s a pretty good, predictable dining experience. It’s nothing especially noteworthy to most of us, though.
But an 85-year old columnist, Marilyn Hagerty, rose to Internet fame after she wrote an earnest restaurant critique of the Olive Garden that had just opened in her small North Dakota town, describing it as “the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks.”
She wrote, “The place is impressive. It’s fashioned in Tuscan farmhouse style with a welcoming entryway,” which is adorable since every Olive Garden looks identical. I think my favorite line was when she described the setting by writing, “I noticed the vases and planters with permanent flower displays on the ledges” (a nice way of saying that she noticed the fake flowers).
The Internet fell in love with this sweet, sincere lady, and I’d be willing to bet that Olive Garden’s sales went up a bit after her review went viral. And after all, Olive Garden does have amazing salad and breadsticks.
Every time I go, I get the unlimited soup and salad, and my favorite soup of all is their Pasta e Fagoli…that is, until I started making it at home.
Homemade pasta e fagoli beats the restaurant version, hands-down. Each bowl is packed with veggies, white and kidney beans, ground beef, spices, and of course, the cutest pasta shapes. I used ditalini, but you could use mini shells, elbows, or whatever kind of small pasta makes your heart happiest.
Homemade pasta e fagoli is super easy to make, and it makes a lot, so it’s perfect for leftovers. You can also freeze it, which I sometimes do and then take some back to school with me!
Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagoli Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 6 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 28 ounce cans diced tomatoes, 1 undrained
- 1 16 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
- 1 16 ounce can white kidney beans, drained
- 30 ounces beef stock
- 3 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
- 1 20 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta, Ditalini, elbows, or mini shells work best
Instructions
- Brown beef in a large soup pot and drain grease. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the pasta and bring to a boil. Turn down to medium low and cook for 2-3 hours. Cook pasta just before serving and add to the pot. Serve topped with grated parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Alternatively, you can brown the beef in a skillet and then add everything except the pasta to a slow-cooker. For this method, cook on low for 7-8 hours or on medium-high for 4-5 hours. Cook the pasta separately and add just before serving.
Adapted from this recipe
Wait, that old lady sounds absolutely ADORABLE. Aren’t cute old people just the best? They make my heart so happy haha! But guess what else makes my heart sing… SOUPS LIKE THIS! I’m not sure if I’ve ever tried this from Olive Garden, but I know it’ll be on the menu for me and Kyle this week. Pinning and eating as soon as I restock my kitchen!
Doesn’t she sound like the cutest? I love sweet older people, too 🙂 Thanks for pinning, Christine!
Yum! This looks so hearty and filling! I haven’t been to Olive Garden in years but I do remember how delicious the breadsticks were. 🙂
That restaurant review is both hilarious and adorable!
I’ve never been to Olive Garden, but I have definitely heard that their breadsticks are fantastic. 🙂 This soup looks absolutely delicious!!
You’ve never been to Olive Garden?!? It really is good, especially for a chain restaurant, and if you like Italian 🙂
Sadly I think our soup days are almost over out here [its going to be 80 this weekend!] but I still love me a good bowl of soup! And this one looks and sounds delicious! I typically get the minestrone at Olive Garden, but this one looks great too!
Wow, 80 degrees in January?! I’m a little envious. Their minestrone is really good, too!
I somehow missed that viral review, but that is adorable! I guess it goes to show that what is commonplace for one person is fancy for another! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
How cute, right?! So true, and I love that she found joy in the little things 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Doug!
I want to to thank you for this very good read!!
I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you book-marked to check out new stuff you
post…
A very nice post, Liv. I’ve never been to Olive Garden but with your delicious recipe, I don’t think I would ever need to go there. It was such a comforting dish to have in this cold winter time. I actually love Tabasco sauce so I ended up putting more than you had instructed as I never had it with a pasta dish before.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the soup, Maria! This is one of my favorites for winter, too!
Thanks for the recipe…I can’t wait to try this recipe! I think it might be a winner for both my husband and the kids! Yum! Pinned and sharing.
Awesome! I hope your family loves it. Thanks for pinning and sharing!!