Italian macaroni and bean soup
Porto Fino in Huntington serves traditional pizzeria fare and classic Italian-American dishes. (March 17, 2012) Credit: Johnny Simon
Whether you call it pasta e fagioli, pasta fagioli or pasta fazool, macaroni and bean soup is one more reason to thank Italy.
It may be made with vegetable or chicken broth and, often, tomatoes. Cannellini beans and short, chunky pasta are crucial. Other vegetables may figure in, as may prosciutto or pancetta, to add a salty, meaty note.
Here are some of Long Island's best bowlfuls:
PORTO FINO
395 New York Ave., Huntington
631-673-1200, portofinohuntington.com
At this pizzeria-trattoria, the comforting pasta e fagioli is made with vegetable broth plus a hint of plum tomatoes and pasta of various shapes and sizes.
FLIP PIZZA
526 Jericho Tpke., Mineola
516-280-9603
The hearty and highly seasoned pasta e fagioli at this pizza spot has a chicken broth base and is loaded with cannellini beans and ditalini pasta, plus a little pancetta.
TORCELLOS
1932 Jericho Tpke., East Northport
631-499-8792, torcellos.com
The pasta e fagioli at this pizzeria-ristorante starts with vegetable broth. It's thick, full-bodied and prosciutto-enriched.