Pastina Soup Recipe
A comforting and simple Pastina Soup made with tiny star-shaped pasta simmered in a fragrant vegetable broth with aromatic vegetables, Parmesan rind, and garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick yet nourishing meal.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Soup Base
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 cup pastina (tiny star-shaped pasta or other small pasta shapes)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sauté Vegetables: Drizzle olive oil into a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the Parmesan rind if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Cook Pastina: Stir in the pastina and cook for 6-8 minutes or according to package instructions until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season Soup: Remove the Parmesan rind and discard it. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
- Using a Parmesan rind adds a rich, savory depth to the broth but can be omitted for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Adjust the cooking time for pastina based on the package to avoid overcooking.
- For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and omit the Parmesan cheese and rind, or substitute with vegan cheese alternatives.
- Keep stirring when cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid overcooking the pasta.
Keywords: Pastina soup, Italian soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, star pasta soup