Submitted by our customer Linda
Here at Papa Vince, we absolutely love when our customers get creative in the kitchen—and this recipe is one of those beautiful moments!
When Linda received her order of our new Khorasan Orzo Pastina, she couldn’t find a recipe on our blog and decided to craft one from scratch.
The result? A hearty, flavorful, and comfort-filled bowl of Navy Beans with Orzo Pastina, featuring Papa Vince staples like our Tomato Sauce and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
She was kind enough to share her photo and recipe with us—and now, we’re honored to share it with the rest of the Papa Vince family.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. dried white (navy) beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped (or ½ red bell pepper as a substitute)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 jar Papa Vince Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock 1–2 tablespoons
- Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf Chopped fresh parsley
- Papa Vince Khorasan Orzo Pastina, cooked according to package instructions
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Optional: Pepperoncini peppers for an extra Cajun-style kick
Instructions:
1. Soak the Beans
Rinse and soak the navy beans overnight in a bowl of water. Drain them the next morning before cooking.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In a large skillet or pot, heat Papa Vince EVOO and sauté the chopped onion, celery, and carrots (or red bell pepper) for about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for an additional minute.
3. Simmer the Beans
Add the drained beans to the pot along with the sautéed sofrito. Pour in 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 jar of Papa Vince Tomato Sauce. Add salt, pepper, bay leaf, and parsley to taste. You can cook this on the stovetop in a stock pot or use a slow cooker (on low for 3–4 hours), which is what (Customer's Name) did to free up her time.
4. Cook the Pastina
While the beans are simmering, cook the Papa Vince Khorasan Pastina according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
5. Assemble & Serve
Scoop a hearty portion of the bean mixture over a bed of pastina, garnish with fresh basil, and if you're feeling adventurous like (Customer's Name), add a pepperoncino or two for a flavorful kick.
Notes from Linda:
“I made this recipe on a whim and was so happy with how it turned out. I used what I had in my pantry and combined Papa Vince’s sofrito, arrabbiata flavor, and navy beans into something that felt both comforting and exciting. My Cajun roots inspired the pepperoncini addition—it gave it just the right zing!”
We love how this dish blends the heart of Italian comfort food with a personal twist.
Thank you, Linda, for your creativity and for being such a valued part of the Papa Vince family!
Buon Appetito!