Description
This comforting Pastina Soup features a flavorful vegetable-spiked chicken broth enriched with parmesan cheese and tender tiny pasta, perfect for an easy weeknight meal 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 cup 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, stir together the broth, onion, carrots, celery, parmesan rind, and a pinch of kosher salt. Turn the heat to high to bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover. Simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
- Puree the vegetables: Discard the parmesan rind, then 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 fully smooth. Scrape the pureed vegetables back into the pot.
- Boil the pasta: Turn the heat to high to bring the broth to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the pastina. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 3 minutes. Remove the soup from the heat.
- Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding more salt if needed. Ladle the pastina soup into serving bowls. Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
- This is a cozy and nourishing soup perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Using low-sodium broth allows control over the saltiness of the soup.
- Any tiny pasta shape like orzo, alphabet, or acini di pepe can be used interchangeably with pastina.
- Serve with crusty bread and a crisp fresh salad for a complete meal.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit parmesan rind or use vegetarian parmesan.
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
