Description
Melissa Jo’s Comfort-Style Pastina is a cozy and flavorful Italian-inspired soup featuring tender vegetables, rich tomato base, Parmesan rind infusion, and delicate Acini di Pepe pasta. Optionally enriched with shredded rotisserie chicken and fresh herbs, this comforting soup is perfect for a satisfying meal any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 6 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil (I used La Española)
- ½ cup finely chopped carrots (peeled)
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoncinis (no juice)
Seasonings & Flavoring
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste, season in layers)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14 ounce can cherry tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Parmesan rind
Liquids
- 32 ounces chicken stock (+ 1–2 cups more if adding shredded chicken)
Pasta & Protein
- 1 cup Acini di Pepe pasta (pastina, uncooked)
- 1 rotisserie chicken (finely shredded, optional)
Finishing Touches
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
- Crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Build the flavor base (low and slow): Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium to medium-low heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and sliced pepperoncinis. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook slowly for 10–15 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and translucent with a slight golden tint. The aim is a gentle, glossy, and fragrant base, not browning.
- Season in layers: This soup is all about layering flavor. Season now, season again later, and taste at the end to achieve depth in taste.
- Cook the tomato paste: Add the tomato paste and stir continuously over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, until it deepens in color and smells rich and slightly sweet—like a sunset in a pot.
- Add the tomatoes: Pour in the cherry tomatoes and break them up with a wooden spoon. You can leave them as chunky or as broken down as you prefer.
- Season and simmer: Add the Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and another pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5–10 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock: Before discarding the tomato can, fill it with chicken stock, swirl it around to capture residual tomato bits, and pour it into the pot. Add the remaining stock until you have a total of 32 ounces. Season lightly again.
- Parmesan magic: Add the Parmesan rind and bring the soup back to a boil, infusing it with rich umami flavor.
- Cook the pastina: Add the Acini di Pepe pasta directly to the soup. Bring to a rolling boil and cook according to package directions (about 9 minutes). As the pasta cooks, the soup will thicken due to the released starch, creating a comforting texture.
- Option 1: Simple Pastina Soup: Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve as is for a cozy vegetarian comfort soup.
- Option 2: Make It a Meal: Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and chopped parsley. If needed, add about 1 additional cup of low-sodium chicken stock to loosen the soup. Bring back to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer for 2–3 minutes, just until the chicken is heated through. Remove bay leaf and Parmesan rind before serving.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Season the soup in layers to build complex flavor.
- Cook vegetables gently to avoid browning and maintain sweetness.
- The Parmesan rind adds a deep umami flavor; remove before serving.
- Acini di Pepe pasta thickens the soup as it cooks—do not overcook.
- Adding shredded rotisserie chicken turns this dish into a hearty main course.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pastina soup, comfort soup, Italian soup, Acini di Pepe, tomato soup, chicken rotisserie soup, Parmesan rind soup, easy soup recipe
