Cozy Bowl: Heartwarming Pastina Soup Recipe for Cold Days

When the chilly winds blow and hunger calls, pastina soup emerges as a warm embrace of Italian comfort food.

This simple yet hearty dish traces its roots deep into traditional kitchens across Italy.

Tiny star-shaped pasta nestles in a rich, savory broth that speaks of love and home.

Generations have treasured this recipe as a go-to meal for soothing both body and soul.

Packed with tender pasta and a delicate blend of ingredients, each spoonful promises pure culinary comfort.

The soup’s simplicity belies its profound ability to nourish and delight.

You’ll find this recipe so satisfying that it might just become your new favorite winter companion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes in Classic Pastina Soup

• Olive Oil or Butter: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and developing deep flavor profiles.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base with savory undertones that enhance the soup's overall taste and nutritional value.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Classic aromatic trio that adds layers of sweetness, earthiness, and subtle crunch to the soup's texture and complexity.

• Pastina: Tiny, delicate pasta that absorbs broth beautifully and provides a comforting, soft texture perfect for a nourishing soup.

• Eggs: Adds luxurious silkiness and extra protein when whisked into the soup, creating elegant egg ribbons.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a sharp, nutty flavor that elevates the soup's depth and provides a delightful salty undertone.

• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and warmth to balance the soup's richness.
• Salt: Enhances and harmonizes all the ingredients' natural flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings a bright, fresh note and vibrant green color to the finished dish.

Kitchen Tools for Cozy Pastina Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and cooking the entire soup with plenty of room to stir.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping onions, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to precisely dice vegetables for even cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking to the pot.
• Small Bowl: Useful for whisking eggs and Parmesan cheese for the optional egg mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend eggs and cheese smoothly without lumps.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving soup into individual bowls without mess.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring chicken broth and pastina.

Making Warm, Comforting Pastina at Home

• Warm Up the Pot

Grab a large pot and melt some olive oil or butter over medium heat, creating a cozy cooking environment.

• Chop and Sizzle Veggies

Toss in diced onions, carrots, and celery, letting them dance and soften for 4-5 minutes until they release their delicious aroma.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in chicken broth and bring the pot to a bubbling boil, creating a flavorful base for your comfort soup.

• Pastina Transformation

Sprinkle pastina into the broth, stirring occasionally to ensure each tiny pasta piece cooks perfectly and doesn’t stick together.

• Secret Egg Swirl (Optional)

Whisk eggs with Parmesan cheese, then gently drizzle into the simmering soup, creating dreamy egg ribbons that add luxurious texture.

• Season and Serve

Sprinkle in black pepper and salt to elevate the flavors, then ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

• Final Touch

Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, then pair with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Tasty Additions for Classic Pastina Soup

• Soup-Making Magic: Start with cold ingredients to enhance flavor development and prevent clumping.
• Egg Whisking Technique: Temper the eggs by slowly adding hot broth to prevent scrambling when incorporating into the soup.
• Dietary Flexibility: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, and use gluten-free pastina for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary, or add a splash of white wine during vegetable sautéing for deeper complexity.
• Texture Variations: For a heartier soup, mix in shredded rotisserie chicken or add small diced ham for extra protein and richness.

Ways to Serve Pastina Soup with Style

• Comfort Corner: Pair this warm pastina soup with a soft, buttered slice of sourdough bread for a cozy meal that hugs your soul.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra sharp Parmesan or aged pecorino romano on top to boost the rich, savory flavor profile and add delightful texture.
• Wellness Boost: Add a handful of baby spinach leaves just before serving to increase nutritional value and create a vibrant green contrast in the soup.
• Kid-Friendly Twist: Serve in colorful mugs with fun-shaped crackers on the side to make this classic soup more appealing to little ones who might be picky eaters.

Save Leftovers of Pastina Soup the Smart Way

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency and prevent pastina from becoming mushy.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze soup without eggs for maximum quality. Store in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion Control Strategy: Divide soup into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness. Small portions reheat faster and maintain better texture.

Comforting Pastina Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting pastina soup embodies Italian grandmother’s healing culinary wisdom, offering warmth and nourishment. Simple ingredients create a nostalgic bowl perfect for soothing souls when winter chills or illness strikes.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (80 grams) pastina, uncooked
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• ¼ cup (25 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat, then introduce diced onion, carrot, and celery. Allow vegetables to soften and develop rich flavors for 4-5 minutes.
2. Build Broth: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable foundation, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil. Gradually add pastina, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
3. Create Silky Texture: In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Reduce heat to low and carefully stream the egg mixture into the simmering soup, creating delicate egg ribbons while stirring continuously.
4. Season and Finish: Season the soup with black pepper and salt, adjusting to taste. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
5. Serve: Ladle the steaming soup into individual bowls, accompanying with crusty bread or crisp crackers for a comforting and nourishing meal.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Clumping: Stir pastina frequently during cooking and add it gradually to avoid sticky, dense clusters.
• Achieve Silky Egg Ribbons: Whisk eggs thoroughly and pour very slowly into low-heat soup while stirring continuously to create delicate, smooth egg strands.
• Vegetable Softening Technique: Sauté onion, carrot, and celery until they’re translucent and fragrant, which develops deeper background flavor for the soup.
• Dietary Adaptations: Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version, use gluten-free pastina for celiac-friendly option, and replace eggs with nutritional yeast for vegan alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg