Garmugia is a traditional Italian soup from the city of Lucca in Tuscany, and it is one of the most delicious ways to celebrate spring produce. Peas, fava beans, asparagus and artichokes are the stars of this hearty bowl, enriched with ground beef and pancetta for an extra layer of savory flavor.
Although garmugia is classically a spring soup, you can make it any time of year using frozen vegetables and legumes if fresh ones are hard to find. A good vegetable broth gives it depth, though water works too if you want a lighter result.

When you serve it, finish each bowl with freshly ground black pepper, a generous drizzle of olive oil and toasted bread on the side. It is a complete, comforting meal that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients for Garmugia
For 2 servings
- 1 spring onion
- 100 g green asparagus
- 100 g pancetta
- 20 g olive oil
- Salt
- 100 g ground beef
- 100 g peas
- 100 g shelled fava beans
- 100 g cleaned artichokes
- 500 ml vegetable broth
- Ground black pepper
- 2 slices of bread

How to Make Garmugia Step by Step
1. Chop the onion, asparagus and pancetta
Finely dice the spring onion. Cut the tips off the green asparagus and slice the stems into pieces about 1 cm long. Cut the pancetta into strips.

2. Sauté the spring onion with the pancetta
Set a pot over medium-high heat with the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the spring onion, a pinch of salt and the pancetta, and sauté for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the ground beef and cook
Add the ground beef and another pinch of salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the meat changes color.

4. Add the peas, fava beans, artichokes and asparagus stems
Stir in the peas, shelled fava beans, artichokes cut into quarters and the asparagus stems. Sauté everything together for 2 minutes.

5. Pour in the vegetable broth and simmer
Add the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes.

6. Add the asparagus tips and cook
After 15 minutes of cooking, add the reserved asparagus tips to the pot and let everything cook for 10 more minutes.

7. The garmugia is ready to serve
After those final 10 minutes, the garmugia is ready to serve.

8. Plate and serve
Ladle the garmugia into bowls and top with freshly ground black pepper and a good drizzle of olive oil. Serve with 2 slices of bread that you have toasted beforehand.

Tips for the Best Garmugia
Use the freshest spring vegetables you can find
Fresh peas, fava beans, asparagus and artichokes give garmugia its bright, sweet character. If they are out of season, frozen vegetables and legumes work well as a substitute.
Choose your broth wisely
A good vegetable broth adds depth to the soup, but you can also use water for a lighter, more delicate result. Adjust the salt at the end since pancetta and broth can both be salty.
Finish with pepper, oil and toasted bread
Freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil lift the flavors right before serving. Toasted bread on the side makes it a complete meal and is the traditional accompaniment.
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Servings | Category | Cuisine | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 35 minutes | 45 minutes | 2 | Starter | Italian | 581 kcal per serving |
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