Description
Italian Pastina Soup is a cozy, nostalgic dish made with tiny pasta and nourishing broth. It’s quick to prepare and brings comfort with every spoonful—perfect for chilly evenings, sick days, or whenever you need a simple, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup pastina or tiny pasta (like star-shaped, acini di pepe, or orzo)
1/2 cup finely diced carrots
1/2 cup finely diced celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Stir in the pastina and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
4. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer an additional 2 minutes.
5. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Notes
Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version without sacrificing flavor.
Cook the pastina separately if making ahead to prevent sogginess.
Add shredded chicken or turkey for a heartier version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
Keywords: pastina, chicken broth, comfort soup