Easy Pastina Soup (20-Minute Italian Recipe)
Easy Pastina Soup (20-Minute Italian Recipe) is quick, cozy, and made with simple ingredients. It’s a classic Italian comfort meal that comes together in one pot with tiny pasta, real Parmesan, and a buttery broth that feels perfect for weeknights. This easy pastina soup recipe uses a handful of pantry staples, light aromatics, and a gentle simmering method that makes the broth taste homemade without taking all day.
Servings: 2
Calories: 327kcal
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Slotted spoon or strainer
- Fine grater
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base or vegetable, if preferred
- 1 small carrot peeled and cut in half
- 1 small celery stalk cut in half
- ½ small onion peeled
- 2 garlic cloves smashed
- ½ cup stelline pasta tiny star-shaped pastina
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ounce about ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano stirred into soup, plus extra for serving
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, Better Than Bouillon, carrot, celery, onion, and garlic. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
- Remove the vegetables using a slotted spoon or fine mesh strainer.
- Add the stelline pasta directly to the simmering broth. Cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly thickened.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the butter until melted, then mix in the Parmesan until the soup becomes smooth and silky.
- Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls, top with extra Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil, and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Note: For a creamier, heartier texture, blend the cooked vegetables with a ladle of broth, then stir the purée back in before adding the pastina.
Storage Store leftover pastina soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze This soup isn’t ideal for freezing because tiny pasta can become overly soft during thawing.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if needed.
Substitutions
- Pasta: Acini di pepe, orzo, and other tiny pasta shapes all work if stelline isn’t available.
- Chicken Base: Use a vegetable base to keep this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
Nutrition
Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 631mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5566IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 1mg
