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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce pastina directly into the simmering broth. Stir periodically to prevent pasta from clumping, cooking for 6-8 minutes until noodles reach perfect tenderness.
- Extract and discard Parmesan rind. Calibrate soup’s flavor profile by seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- 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