Pastina Soup Recipe
If you are craving a bowl of cozy comfort, this Pastina Soup Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a simple yet wonderfully soothing soup featuring tiny star-shaped pasta called pastina, simmered in flavorful broth and brightened up with silky egg ribbons and a touch of Parmesan cheese. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday lunch or a gentle dish to warm you up on a chilly evening, this recipe delivers pure, heartwarming satisfaction in every spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Pastina Soup Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role, contributing to the soup’s delicate texture, rich flavor, and inviting aroma. With just a handful of essentials, you’ll bring classic comfort right to your table.
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth: The flavorful liquid base that infuses every bite with warmth and depth.
- ½ cup pastina: These tiny star-shaped pasta pieces cook quickly and add a whimsical touch of texture.
- 1 egg: Whisked into the soup to create silky ribbons that give a luscious creaminess without heaviness.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds savory richness and a hint of saltiness to elevate the broth.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Melts into the soup to deepen the flavor and provide a smooth finish.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors into perfect balance.
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish): Adds a fresh, bright note and a pop of color to finish the dish beautifully.
How to Make Pastina Soup Recipe
Step 1: Bring the Broth to a Gentle Boil
Start by pouring your chicken or vegetable broth into a medium pot and heat it over medium until it reaches a gentle boil. This is where the base flavor of your soup begins to take center stage, so choosing a good quality broth makes all the difference.
Step 2: Cook the Pastina
Add the pastina to the boiling broth and let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pastina is tiny, so it cooks quickly, softening evenly while soaking up all that flavorful broth. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Egg and Parmesan
While the pastina cooks, whisk the egg and the grated Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl. This mixture will create beautiful, delicate ribbons in the soup, adding richness without heaviness.
Step 4: Add the Egg Mixture to the Soup
Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture into the soup, stirring continuously. This slow addition combined with constant stirring helps form those silky egg ribbons that give the soup its characteristic creamy texture.
Step 5: Stir in Butter and Season
Next, stir in the tablespoon of butter until it melts smoothly into the soup. Then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This step rounds out the flavors and adds the final touch of comfort that you’ll notice from the first spoonful.
Step 6: Serve Hot with Optional Garnish
Once everything is combined and warmed through, ladle the soup into bowls. Top with fresh parsley if you want to add a hint of herbaceous brightness and a lovely color contrast.
How to Serve Pastina Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley is traditional and fresh, but you could also try a dusting of extra Parmesan or a few cracked black pepper flakes for garnish. These little touches add personality and a burst of flavor that makes every bowl feel special.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with warm, crusty bread or a simple green salad to round out the meal. The mild, comforting nature of the Pastina Soup Recipe also makes it an ideal starter for heartier Italian dishes like lasagna or roasted vegetables.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, serve the soup in mini bread bowls or rustic ceramic mugs. Adding a lemon wedge on the side can also brighten the flavor unexpectedly, offering a fresh citrus zing to balance the creamy, cheesy soup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your meal, store any leftover pastina soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the pastina will continue to soak up broth over time, so the soup may thicken as it sits.
Freezing
Freezing is possible, but pasta can get a bit mushy when thawed. If you want to freeze your Pastina Soup Recipe, store the broth separately and add the pastina fresh after reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
Gently reheat your leftovers on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might want to add a splash of broth or water to loosen the soup if it has thickened too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I use a vegetarian broth for this Pastina Soup Recipe?
Absolutely! Vegetable broth works wonderfully as a vegetarian-friendly alternative and still gives you a deliciously flavorful base for the soup.
What can I substitute for pastina if I can’t find it?
If pastina isn’t available, tiny pasta shapes like orzo, acini di pepe, or even finely broken-up small shells make great substitutes and cook just as quickly.
Is this soup kid-friendly?
Definitely! The mild flavors and fun tiny stars make it a hit with kids. Plus, it’s easy to customize with their favorite veggies or cheese.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, simply skip the Parmesan and butter or use dairy-free alternatives. Coconut oil and nutritional yeast can be good pantry substitutions.
How long does it take to prepare this Pastina Soup Recipe?
This soup comes together in about 15 minutes, making it a perfect quick comfort food when you want something warm and satisfying without spending much time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Pastina Soup Recipe enough for its simplicity, cozy flavors, and speedy prep time. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug, perfect for nourishing both your body and soul. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become a go-to favorite for you and your loved ones.
Print
Pastina Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
A comforting and quick-to-make Pastina Soup featuring tiny star pasta simmered in flavorful broth, enriched with delicate egg ribbons and Parmesan cheese for a creamy texture. This simple soup is perfect for a light meal or soothing comfort food.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup pastina (tiny star pasta)
Enrichment
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring broth to boil: In a medium pot, heat the chicken or vegetable broth over medium heat until it reaches a gentle boil.
- Cook pastina: Add the pastina to the boiling broth and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or according to package instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare egg mixture: While the pastina cooks, whisk together the egg and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl until well combined.
- Incorporate egg ribbons: Lower the heat to low and slowly drizzle the egg and cheese mixture into the simmering soup, stirring continuously to form delicate egg ribbons throughout the soup without curdling.
- Add butter and season: Stir in the tablespoon of butter until melted and fully incorporated. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and optionally garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Using low heat when adding the egg mixture prevents scrambling and creates silky ribbons.
- Substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Pastina cooks very quickly; watch closely to avoid overcooking and mushiness.
- Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness but can be omitted.
- For extra richness, you can add a splash of cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
