Gluten-Free Pasta Fazool AKA Good Luck Pasta
January is the perfect time to embrace traditions that symbolize luck and prosperity. In many cultures, dishes featuring pork, beans, and greens are staples of New Year celebrations, each ingredient carrying its own promise of good fortune. This Gluten-Free Pasta Fazool beautifully incorporates all three for a meal that’s not only delicious but also brimming with auspicious meaning.
What you will need:
12 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) plus more for serving
Kosher or sea salt
Black pepper
4 cups gluten-free chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed, and leaves chopped
12 oz Mountain High Organics quinoa fusilli
Olive oil, for serving
Shaved or grated Parmesan or vegan alternative, for serving (optional)
Chopped Italian parsley, for serving
What they mean:
Pork: The smoky, savory addition of thick-cut bacon symbolizes progress and moving forward. In culinary folklore, pigs are seen as lucky because they root forward, embodying a spirit of determination and progress—a perfect way to set the tone for the year ahead.
Beans: Cannellini beans, rich and creamy, are a symbol of prosperity and abundance. Their shape is said to resemble coins, making them a natural choice for dishes intended to bring wealth and good fortune.
Greens: Swiss chard, with its vibrant leaves, represents wealth and money. Its inclusion in this dish not only makes it colorful and nutritious but also adds a touch of good luck for your financial endeavors in the coming year.
Now, here’s a twist I personally adore: I use Mountain High Organics quinoa fusilli in this recipe. Why fusilli? Its corkscrew shape reminds me of a little worm that wriggles through the dish and into my life, symbolizing a continuous thread of good luck weaving its way through the year. Call it whimsical, but I believe a little creativity in the kitchen goes a long way toward setting the right intentions.
This Pasta Fazool is not only a gluten-free take on the traditional dish but also a celebration of hope, luck, and prosperity for the year ahead. Pair it with a crisp salad or a slice of gluten-free bread, and you’ve got a meal that’s as meaningful as it is satisfying. So go ahead—ladle yourself a bowl of good fortune and savor the flavors of a promising start to the year!
Gluten-Free Pasta Fazool (Pasta Fagioli)
Ingredients
- 12 oz thick-cut bacon , diced
- 1 medium onion , finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) plus more for serving
- Kosher or sea salt
- Black pepper
- 4 cups gluten-free chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bunch Swiss chard , stems removed, and leaves chopped
- 12 oz Mountain High Organics quinoa fusilli
- Olive oil , for serving
- Shaved or grated Parmesan or vegan alternative , for serving (optional)
- Chopped Italian parsley , for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté in the bacon fat until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes, or until fragrant and it has caramelized slightly.
- Pour in the gluten-free chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the water and raise the heat to bring to a gentle boil. Add the cannellini beans and fusilli and cook for 10 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water or chicken broth. Stir in the Swiss chard and cook until wilted, about 3–4 minutes. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle the Pasta Fazool into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, shredded Parmesan or a vegan alternative, crushed red pepper, and parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
