Description
A warm, soothing Italian pastina soup with tender star-shaped pasta simmered in savory broth, finished with butter, Parmesan, and fresh parsley. It’s the ultimate hug-in-a-bowl for cozy nights or easy weeknight comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup pastina (star-shaped pasta)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place a large pot on the stove over medium heat.
- Add chicken broth, diced carrot, diced celery, and minced garlic, then bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the pastina, ensuring it is fully submerged in the broth.
- Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pastina is tender.
- Stir in the butter and grated Parmesan, then season with salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot, optionally with extra Parmesan and crusty bread.
Notes
- Cook pastina directly in the broth for maximum flavor.
- Use a high quality or homemade broth for the best taste.
- Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness just before serving.
- Pastina continues to absorb liquid as it sits, keep extra broth on hand for reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: pastina soup, cozy soup, Italian penicillin, comfort food, star pasta, easy soup recipe, weeknight soup, chicken broth soup