Cozy Pastina Soup Recipe: A Heartwarming Bowl of Comfort

Comfort arrives in a delicate pastina soup that whispers memories of childhood kitchens.

Nonna’s secret recipe dances with simple ingredients and pure love.

Small star-shaped pasta floats like wishes in a warm broth.

Delicate and nurturing, each spoonful carries gentle warmth through your soul.

Salt and pepper gently season this Italian classic with understated elegance.

Creamy textures embrace tender vegetables that mingle softly with pasta pearls.

Why Pastina Soup Is a Cozy and Quick Comfort Meal

• Comfort in a Bowl: Dive into a heartwarming soup that wraps you in pure comfort, perfect for soothing souls on chilly days or when you need a warm hug.
• Quick Family Pleaser: Prepare a delicious meal in under 30 minutes that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a go-to recipe for busy households.
• Nutritious and Customizable: Pack your soup with fresh vegetables and protein, easily adaptable to different dietary preferences by swapping broth or adding extra ingredients.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable for beginners, ensuring even novice cooks can create a restaurant-worthy dish with confidence.

Ingredients for Easy Pastina Soup Recipe

• Onion: A foundational vegetable that provides a sweet and aromatic base for the soup.
• Carrots: Add natural sweetness and vibrant color to the soup.
• Celery: Contributes a subtle herbal note and depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Offers a rich, pungent taste that enhances the overall soup profile.

• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth: Creates the flavorful liquid foundation of the soup.
• Parmesan Rind: Adds a deep, savory umami flavor to the broth during simmering.

• Pastina: A tiny, star-shaped pasta that provides a comforting texture to the soup.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a bright, green garnish and light herbal note.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, nutty finish when grated on top.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a smooth, rich drizzle to complete the soup.

How to Make Comforting Pastina Soup Perfectly

Step 1: Awaken the Aromatics

Drizzle olive oil into a large pot over medium heat. Toss in finely chopped onions, diced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic.

Sauté the vegetables, stirring gently until they transform into a fragrant, softened medley. The kitchen will fill with a warm, inviting aroma that signals deliciousness is on its way.

Step 2: Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in chicken or vegetable broth with enthusiasm. If you have a Parmesan rind hiding in your refrigerator, now’s the perfect moment to add it.

Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the broth dance and mingle with the vegetables for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to develop depth and character.

Step 3: Welcome the Tiny Pasta

Introduce the delicate pastina into the simmering pot. Stir the tiny pasta pearls lovingly, watching them bob and weave through the broth.

Cook until the pastina becomes tender and soft, typically around 6-8 minutes. Keep a watchful eye and stir occasionally to prevent any pasta from clinging to the bottom.

Step 4: Elevate with Seasonings

Bid farewell to the Parmesan rind and discard. Season the soup with a sprinkle of salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper.

Taste and adjust, making sure each spoonful sings with balanced flavor.

Step 5: Create the Final Masterpiece

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls.

• Freshly chopped parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Serve immediately and watch faces light up with comfort and joy.

Tips for Creamy and Delicious Pastina Soup Every Time

• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that's equally delicious and comforting.
• Experiment with different small pasta shapes like orzo or stelline if pastina isn't available in your local stores.
• Add a beaten egg at the end of cooking for a richer, creamier texture that transforms the soup into a more substantial meal.
• Boost nutrition by tossing in additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, knowing the pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so you might need to add extra broth when reheating.

Variations to Refresh Your Pastina Soup

• Gluten-Free Pastina Soup: Replace traditional pastina with gluten-free rice or corn-based small pasta to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Protein Boost: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and add cubed tofu or white beans for extra protein and texture.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary instead of parsley for a more robust Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium broth, eliminate added salt, and enhance flavor with fresh herbs and a splash of lemon juice to maintain taste without excess sodium.

What Goes Best with Pastina Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, acidic Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the delicate flavors of the pastina soup, cutting through its richness and enhancing the vegetable notes.
• Match with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Serve thick slices of rustic sourdough bread on the side, perfect for dipping into the soup and soaking up the flavorful broth, adding textural contrast and extra comfort.
• Combine with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a simple mixed green salad with fresh herbs like basil and parsley, dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette to provide a bright, crisp counterpoint to the warm, hearty soup.

How to Store Pastina Soup Safely

Store leftover pastina soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.

Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing soup with dairy toppings like cheese.

Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick.

Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Check temperature before serving to avoid scalding.

FAQs

• What is pastina?

Pastina is a tiny, star-shaped pasta traditionally used in Italian soups and broths, often served to children as a comforting and easy-to-eat meal.

• Can I use different types of broth?

Yes, you can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth or even beef broth depending on your preference and dietary needs.

• Is pastina soup healthy?

Pastina soup is nutritious, packed with vegetables and protein, making it a balanced meal that provides essential nutrients and supports overall wellness.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and skip the Parmesan rind to create a delicious vegetarian version of the soup.

Pastina Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

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

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Description

Comforting Italian pastina soup nestles childhood memories in a warm, nourishing bowl. Rich chicken broth and tiny pasta stars create a simple yet soulful meal that connects generations with delicious Mediterranean charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 cup pastina (tiny star-shaped pasta or other small pasta shapes)

Vegetables:

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

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics in a large pot with olive oil over medium heat. Combine diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, cooking for 5-7 minutes until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
2. Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot, adding Parmesan rind for enhanced depth of flavor. Elevate heat to boiling, then immediately reduce to low simmer. Allow the liquid to gently meld ingredients for 15-20 minutes.
3. Introduce pastina directly into the simmering broth. Stir periodically to prevent pasta from clumping, cooking for 6-8 minutes until noodles reach perfect tenderness.
4. Extract and discard Parmesan rind. Calibrate soup’s flavor profile by seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
5. Transfer steaming soup into serving bowls. Embellish with freshly chopped parsley, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, and finish with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a luxurious presentation.

Notes

• Choose small pastina shapes like stelline or alfabeto for the most authentic and child-friendly version of this comforting soup.
• Enhance nutrition by adding beaten egg at the end of cooking, creating a silky texture and boosting protein content.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly, ensuring the same delicious flavor profile.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, understanding that pasta might absorb more liquid and become slightly thicker when refrigerated.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg