Name: Italian Pastina Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 yellow or white onion, roughly chopped; 2 carrots, roughly chopped; 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped; 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 Parmesan rind; 1 cup pastina pasta (or other small pasta like acini di pepe or stelline); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Introduction

Italian Pastina Soup is a comforting and simple dish that combines tender vegetables with tiny pasta in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is easy to make and warms you from the inside out.

Two white bowls filled with a bright yellow creamy soup, topped with finely chopped green herbs, a sprinkle of black pepper, and grated cheese. One bowl has a silver spoon decorated with patterns resting inside it. Next to the bowls, there is a piece of torn crusty bread with a golden-brown crust on a wooden cutting board. To the side, two rectangular pieces of light yellow cheese are placed on a small white scalloped dish. A blue and white striped cloth is partially visible on the left side, and the whole setup is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 yellow or white onion (roughly chopped)
2 carrots (roughly chopped)
2 celery sticks (roughly chopped)
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 Parmesan rind
1 cup pastina pasta (or other small pasta like acini di pepe or stelline)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Chop the onion, carrots, and celery roughly; precision is not necessary.
Step 2: In a large pot, combine the chopped vegetables, broth, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 3: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Step 4: Remove the vegetables from the pot using a strainer. Transfer them to a blender with ½ to 1 cup of the broth, or use an immersion blender directly in another pot. Blend until smooth, being careful with the hot liquid.
Step 5: Pour the pureed vegetables back into the pot and add the pastina. Simmer for 7-9 minutes until the pasta is cooked al dente.
Step 6: Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7: Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the vegetables and stir the rest in whole.
Swap pastina for other small pastas like orzo or tiny shells for a different shape but similar cooking time.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for a fresh brightness.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a little extra broth or water to loosen the soup, as the pasta will absorb liquid and thicken over time. Heat gently on the stove or microwave until warm.

How to Serve

Two white bowls filled with thick yellow soup that has a creamy texture. The soup is topped with finely chopped green herbs and light sprinkles of black pepper. Each bowl has a layer of grated white cheese melting slightly on the surface. One bowl has a silver spoon resting inside it. Next to the bowls, pieces of torn crusty bread with a golden-brown crust are placed on a wooden board. There is also a small white dish holding two sticks of pale yellow butter. A blue and white striped cloth lies under the board, and the entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen chopped onions, carrots, and celery can be used to save time. Just adjust the simmering time to ensure they become tender.

What can I substitute if I don’t have a Parmesan rind?

If you don’t have a Parmesan rind, you can increase the grated Parmesan cheese slightly for flavor, or add a small piece of Parmesan or Pecorino during cooking, removing it before blending.