Pastina Soup
A comforting traditional Italian soup made with small pasta and flavorful broth, perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Broth Ingredients
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth Use seasoned vegetable broth for added flavor.
- 1 medium onion, chopped Provides base flavor for the broth.
- 2 stalks celery, chopped Adds depth to the broth.
- 2 medium carrots, chopped Enhances the soup's sweetness and color.
Pastina Ingredients
- 1 cup pastina Choose your favorite shape like star, rice, or small rounds.
- to taste salt Season to your preference.
- to taste pepper Add fresh ground black pepper for flavor.
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 bay leaf for flavor Infuse the broth with extra aroma.
- 1 piece Parmesan rind Add during cooking for a cheesy depth.
- to taste fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) Add for freshness just before serving.
Instructions
Preparing the Broth
- In a large pot, combine water or vegetable broth with chopped onion, celery, and carrots.
- Heat the mixture until it boils, then reduce heat and let the vegetables cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
Cooking the Pastina
- In a separate pot, boil salted water and cook the pastina according to the package instructions, usually 5-7 minutes.
- Once the vegetables are soft, use a blender or immersion blender to blend the broth until smooth.
- Combine the blended vegetables with the cooked pastina gently and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
Consider serving the soup with crusty bread or a green salad. You can customize the recipe by using different broths or adding various vegetables.