Description
Italian Pastina Soup, often referred to as “Italian penicillin,” is a comforting and nourishing dish perfect for chilly days, quick meals, or when you need extra warmth and care. This blended soup combines tender vegetables and small pasta, creating a creamy texture that’s both satisfying and ideal for sneaking in extra veggies for picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 yellow or white onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 1 cup pastina pasta (or other small pasta like acini di pepe or stelline)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large pot, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, broth, and Parmesan rind.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Blend the Vegetables:
- Using a strainer or slotted spoon, remove the vegetables from the pot and transfer them to a blender, adding ½ to 1 cup of the broth.
- Blend until smooth, taking care with the hot mixture.
- Combine and Cook the Pasta:
- Return the pureed vegetables to the pot with the remaining broth.
- Add the pastina and simmer for 7-9 minutes until the pasta is cooked.
- Season and Serve:
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Pasta Addition: To prevent the pasta from becoming too soft or absorbing too much broth, especially if planning for leftovers, consider cooking the pastina separately and adding it directly to each bowl when serving.
- Flavor Variations: For added depth, incorporate a dash of red pepper flakes, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, or a touch of garlic powder.
- Enhancements: Make the soup more substantial by adding leftover rotisserie chicken, browned Italian sausage, or even a soft-boiled egg on top for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Italian Pastina Soup, Italian penicillin, comforting Italian soup, pastina recipe, Italian comfort food