Description
Comfort meets nostalgia in this classic Italian Pastina Soup, a heartwarming dish cherished across generations. Simple ingredients blend into a soul-soothing meal that connects you with traditional family recipes and culinary memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
- ½ cup (80 grams) uncooked pastina
- 2 large eggs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil or butter
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm olive oil or butter in a generously sized pot, establishing a medium heat foundation for flavor development.
- Introduce finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery into the heated fat, allowing vegetables to soften and release aromatic essence for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Cascade chicken broth into the vegetable-infused pot, elevating temperature until liquid reaches a robust boil.
- Gently cascade pastina into the bubbling broth, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from clustering and ensure uniform cooking according to package guidance.
- While pasta simmers, whisk eggs and Parmesan cheese in a separate vessel, creating a silky, luxurious mixture.
- Reduce cooking temperature to low, carefully streaming whisked egg mixture into soup while maintaining gentle circular motion, transforming liquid into delicate egg ribbons.
- Calibrate soup’s flavor profile by incorporating black pepper and salt, adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
- Transfer steaming soup into individual serving bowls, adorning with freshly chopped parsley and an optional sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese.
- Present alongside rustic crusty bread or crisp crackers, creating a comforting, nourishing dining experience.
Notes
- Customize vegetable selection by using seasonal or leftover produce for added nutrition and reduced food waste.
- Opt for gluten-free pastina or small rice/quinoa pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the soup’s comforting texture.
- Transform the recipe into a protein-packed meal by adding shredded rotisserie chicken or white beans during the sautéing stage for extra heartiness.
- Create a dairy-free version by substituting Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omitting cheese entirely, ensuring the soup remains flavorful and creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg