on Sep 14, 2022, Updated Nov 04, 2023
Why You’ll Love Easy Pastina Soup
🍝 Versatile Pastina: Discover the charm of “pastina” pasta, those tiny pasta shapes that make this dish a delight for all ages. 🥕 Hidden Veggies: Perfect for picky eaters, the veggies are skillfully blended into the broth, which certainly ensures a vegetable-free taste and texture. 🧀 Customizable Toppings: Traditionally topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, this soup allows for dairy-free alternatives and personal preferences. 🍲 Recipe Flexibility: Transform this soup into beef broth by adding beef, chicken broth by adding chicken, or simply enjoy it as is, depending on your mood. 🏫 School Lunch Hero: Packed in a thermos, it’s an ideal school lunch, sure to please even the pickiest of kids. 🇮🇹 Embrace Tradition: Try this Italian tradition and share your own “pastina with brodo” experiences in the comments.
How To Prepare Easy Pastina Soup
Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, combine 10 ½ cups of water 💦 (or vegetable broth) and heat until boiling. Veggies: Include a halved yellow onion, celery ribs, carrots, and garlic 🧄. Don’t forget to season with 🧂 salt. Simmer + Blend: Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for 45 minutes until the vegetables are soft while the liquid reduces. Afterward, blend the cooked veggies with broth until the mixture is smooth. Cook the Pasta: Now, boil your choice of pastina in a separate pot. Serve: Begin by placing the cooked pastina in a bowl. Then, pour the blended broth over the pastina. To finish, garnish with Parmigiano, and now you’re ready to enjoy!
Substitutes and Variations
Now, let’s explore some exciting ways to customize this soup to suit your preferences and dietary needs because one of the best things about this recipe, is its versatility.
Pasta Variations: Instead of pastina, try other small pasta shapes like orzo, tiny stars, or tiny macaroni noodles. Broth Options: While the recipe uses water and vegetable broth, you can experiment with different broths, such as chicken or beef, for varied flavors. For a lighter option, opt for low-sodium broth. Dairy-Free Topping: If you’re dairy-free, substitute Parmigiano Reggiano with dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. Custom Ingredients: You can certainly get creative by adding other ingredients like spinach, kale, or other leafy greens to boost the nutrition. Protein Choices: To increase protein content, consider adding cooked chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey. Alternatively, keep it vegetarian with plant-based protein sources like tofu or beans. Dietary Modifications: Adjust the recipe to suit dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta or low-carb by using cauliflower rice instead of pasta. Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick. Experiment with other seasonings like paprika, cayenne, or Italian seasoning to tailor the flavor to your preferences. Garnish and Presentation: While Parmigiano Reggiano is a traditional topping, consider garnishing with fresh basil, parsley, or a drizzle of olive oil for an elegant presentation.
Best Served With
For a complete and hearty meal, consider serving this easy pastina soup with some delicious homemade bread. So, here are some of my favorites:
No-Knead Peasant Bread No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Grandma’s No-Knead Olive Bread No-Knead Foccocia
Similar Recipe
If you’re interested in comforting soups, don’t forget to explore other similar soup recipes on my blog:
Lasagna Soup Greek Lemon Soup The Best Lentil Soup Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup Healthiest Cream of Hidden Veggie Soup Hidden Veggie Meatball Soup Chicken Noodle Soup
Common Questions
