Here’s a simple, cozy Pastina Soup—perfect for a light meal or when you want something comforting 🍲
Pastina Soup
Serves: 2–4
Time: ~20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup pastina (tiny pasta stars)
- 1 small carrot, finely diced
- 1 small celery stalk, finely diced (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: a pinch of dried herbs (thyme, parsley, or Italian seasoning)
- Optional garnish: grated Parmesan, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Add broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook pastina: Stir in the pastina and cook according to package instructions (usually 5–7 minutes), stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
- Season: Add salt, pepper, and optional herbs to taste.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.
Quick Tips
- Creamy version: Stir in ¼ cup milk or cream at the end.
- Veggie-packed: Add peas, spinach, or zucchini toward the end of cooking.
- Kid-friendly: Keep it simple with just butter and a little Parmesan.
If you want, I can also give a super-fast 10-minute version that’s basically instant comfort soup. Do you want me to do that?
