Easy Pastina Soup Recipe: Heartwarming Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort arrives in the smallest pasta shapes with pastina soup, a classic Italian remedy that warms hearts and soothes souls.

Delicate, tiny pasta pearls dance in a rich, golden broth that whispers memories of grandmother’s kitchen.

Every spoonful carries the essence of simplicity and love, crafted with just a few humble ingredients.

Italians have long treasured this soothing dish as a go-to meal during chilly days or when feeling under the weather.

The soup’s gentle nature makes it perfect for children and adults alike, offering nourishment and pure culinary comfort.

Creamy and light, this soup promises a healing embrace that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.

Prepare to fall in love with this timeless, soul-satisfying recipe that connects generations through its delicious simplicity.

What Makes Pastina Soup So Comforting

• Comfort in a Bowl: Warm, hearty pastina soup delivers ultimate comfort food vibes with its rich, soul-soothing ingredients and classic homemade goodness.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare this delightful soup in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious and satisfying without spending hours cooking.
• Versatile Family Pleaser: Incredibly adaptable recipe that welcomes ingredient swaps, appeals to all ages, and serves as a fantastic way to sneak vegetables into picky eaters' meals with its gentle, flavorful profile.
• Nutritious One-Pot Dish: Packed with vegetables, protein from broth, and minimal cleanup required, this soup offers a balanced, wholesome meal that nourishes the body while keeping kitchen mess to a minimum.

Ingredients for a Cozy Bowl of Pastina Soup

• Onion: Sweet base for building flavor.
• Carrots: Colorful and slightly sweet vegetable.
• Celery: Crisp and aromatic vegetable.
• Garlic: Fragrant and bold ingredient.

• Pastina: Tiny star-shaped pasta perfect for soups.

• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth: Warm and comforting liquid foundation.

• Parmesan Rind: Rich umami flavor enhancer.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and sharp grated topping.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb for garnish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic soup seasoners.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth and fruity drizzle.

How to Make This Classic Pastina Dish

Step 1: Awaken the Vegetables

Warm a spacious pot over medium heat and drizzle in olive oil.

Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic.

Let them dance and soften for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they release their aromatic magic.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and introduce the Parmesan rind.

Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then lower the heat.

Allow the ingredients to whisper their flavors together for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Welcome the Tiny Pasta

Gently sprinkle pastina into the simmering broth.

Cook according to package guidance, typically 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent pasta from clinging to the pot’s bottom.

Aim for tender, pillowy pasta.

Step 4: Perfect the Seasoning

Remove the Parmesan rind.

Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper, creating a balanced flavor profile that sings.

Step 5: Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into welcoming bowls.

Tips for a Creamy, Simple Soup

• Swap out carrots, celery, or onions with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or leeks for a personalized touch and added nutrition.
• Stir pastina continuously during cooking and ensure enough liquid in the pot to keep the tiny pasta from clumping or burning at the bottom.
• Enhance the soup's protein content by adding cooked shredded chicken, white beans, or small diced ham directly into the broth before serving.
• Whisk in a beaten egg or a splash of heavy cream at the end of cooking for a richer, more luxurious soup consistency that adds depth of flavor.
• Use homemade stock or enhance store-bought broth with additional herbs like thyme or bay leaf to create a more complex and robust soup base.

How to Store and Heat Up Pastina Soup

• Store leftover pastina soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture and prevent sticking.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming and prevent overheating.

Pairing Ideas for Italian Pastina Soup

• Warm Crusty Bread Companion: Select a rustic sourdough or Italian ciabatta bread to soak up the delicious broth, creating a comforting texture that complements the delicate pasta soup.
• Crisp White Wine Harmony: Choose a light Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that offers refreshing acidity to balance the soup's rich, savory flavors and cleanse the palate between spoonfuls.
• Fresh Side Salad Contrast: Prepare a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan to provide a bright, peppery counterpoint to the warm, mild soup, adding freshness and texture to the meal.
• Herbal Tea Finale: End the meal with a soothing chamomile or mint tea that aids digestion and provides a gentle, warming conclusion to the comforting soup experience.

Fresh Ways to Serve Pastina Soup

• Gluten-Free Pastina: Replace traditional pastina with gluten-free rice or corn-based small pasta to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Comfort Soup: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth, omit Parmesan cheese, and add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pastina with riced cauliflower or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining soup's comforting texture.
• Protein-Packed Version: Enhance the soup by adding shredded rotisserie chicken, diced tofu, or white beans for extra protein and nutritional value.

FAQs

• What exactly is pastina?

Pastina is the smallest type of pasta, typically star-shaped or tiny round pieces, commonly used in Italian soups and as a first food for babies. It’s delicate, quick-cooking, and absorbs flavors beautifully.

• Can I use different types of broth?

Yes, you can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth or even beef broth depending on your preference. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile to the soup.

• Is this soup nutritious?

Absolutely! Pastina soup is packed with vegetables, provides protein from broth, and offers complex carbohydrates from the pasta. It’s a balanced, light meal that’s especially comforting when you’re feeling under the weather.

• How can I make this soup more filling?

You can add shredded cooked chicken, small diced ham, or white beans to increase protein and make the soup more substantial. These additions will transform the light soup into a more hearty meal.

Pastina Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Italian comfort calls to home cooks with this heartwarming pastina soup, a nostalgic embrace of simple ingredients dancing in savory broth. Childhood memories mingle with warmth, inviting you to savor each spoonful of pure, soulful nourishment.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Broth:

• 1 cup pastina (tiny star-shaped pasta or any small pasta shapes)
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 Parmesan rind (optional, for added depth of flavor)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
• Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium flame, introducing diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Gently sauté the vegetables for approximately 5-6 minutes until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
2. Stream chicken or vegetable broth into the vegetable mixture, incorporating the Parmesan rind for enhanced depth. Elevate the liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow the ingredients to harmonize and develop rich flavors for 15-20 minutes.
3. Introduce pastina into the simmering broth, stirring consistently to prevent clumping. Cook the tiny pasta until it reaches a tender consistency, typically requiring 6-8 minutes of careful attention.
4. Carefully extract and discard the Parmesan rind. Taste the soup critically, adjusting seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to create a balanced flavor profile.
5. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls with a ladle. Embellish each portion with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, a generous dusting of grated Parmesan cheese, and a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to elevate the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Select small pastina shapes like stelline or orzo for the most authentic and child-friendly texture.
• Use homemade chicken stock for richer, deeper flavor complexity that elevates the entire soup’s taste profile.
• Consider replacing chicken broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version that’s equally comforting.
• Add beaten egg during final cooking stage for extra protein and traditional Italian “stracciatella” style texture, whisking gently while pouring to create soft egg ribbons throughout the soup.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 5mg