Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Pastina Soup featuring vegetable-infused chicken broth, tender tiny pasta, and flavorful Parmesan cheese. This one-pot recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Vegetables
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into large pieces
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into large pieces
- 2 celery ribs, sliced into large pieces
- 1 parmesan rind (about 2 inches long)
- Kosher salt, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups pastina (or any tiny pasta variety like alphabet, orzo, or acini di pepe)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Simmer the broth: In a large pot with a lid, combine the chicken broth, sliced onion, carrots, celery, parmesan rind, and a pinch of kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
- Puree the vegetables: Remove and discard the parmesan rind. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a food processor. Add a couple ladles of the broth and blend until the vegetables are completely smooth. Scrape the pureed mixture back into the pot.
- Boil the pasta: Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a boil. Stir in the pastina and cook until the pasta is tender, approximately 3 minutes. Remove the pot from heat.
- Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each with chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- This soup is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and omit parmesan rind or use a vegetarian hard cheese rind.
- The parmesan rind adds a rich, savory flavor but can be omitted if not available.
- Pair this soup with crusty bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 5.4 g
- Sodium: 136 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57.2 g
- Fiber: 3.7 g
- Protein: 15.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0.2 mg
