Traditional Italian Pastina Soup
A comforting Traditional Italian Pastina Soup with tender tiny pasta in a flavorful broth, accented by sautéed aromatics and optional Parmesan and fresh herbs. Perfect as a cozy starter or light main dish.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 Tbsp olive oil for sautéing
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf optional
Pastina & Seasoning
- 1 cup pastina pasta tiny pasta like stelline or acini di pepe
- salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup fresh spinach optional, added at end
- grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Pour in the broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes so the vegetables release their flavor. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Stir in the pastina and cook according to package instructions until tender, about 5–9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- If using, stir in fresh spinach just until wilted. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley before serving. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Notes
Traditional Italian Pastina Soup is a simple yet comforting soup that highlights a flavorful broth with tiny pasta shapes. It can be made with chicken or vegetable broth and is often enriched with sautéed aromatics and finished with optional spinach and Parmesan for extra depth of flavor. Italians sometimes refer to pastina soup as a soothing comfort food, even nicknamed “Italian penicillin.” :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}