Pastina Soup
This cozy Italian pastina soup combines tiny pasta with a savory chicken broth enriched with tender vegetables and a Parmesan rind. Finish each bowl with fresh parsley and plenty of grated Parmesan.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into large pieces
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
- 2 celery ribs, cut into large pieces
- 1 parmesan rind, about 2 inches long
- Kosher salt
- 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, combine the chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, Parmesan rind, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer until the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 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 of ladlefuls of broth and blend until completely smooth. Scrape the pureed vegetables back into the pot and stir to combine.
- Cook the pasta. Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a boil. Stir in the pastina and cook according to the package directions, until tender. Remove the soup from the heat.
- Finish and serve. Taste and add more salt if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Parmesan rind: Save leftover Parmesan rinds in the freezer. You can add the rind to the soup directly from frozen.
- Pasta cooking time: Pastina shapes vary in size, so follow the cooking time on your package.
- For the best leftovers: Tiny pasta absorbs broth and softens as it sits. If you do not plan to serve the entire pot, cook your desired amount of pasta separately in boiling salted water. Drain and divide among the bowls, then ladle the hot broth over the top.
- Storage: Refrigerate the broth without the pasta in a covered container for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Shop: Visit our shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients, including extra virgin olive oils, honey, jams and spreads, and spices.
Nutrition
Calories: 307.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 57.2g | Protein: 15.7g | Fat: 3.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 468.4mg | Fiber: 3.7g | Sugar: 5.4g | Vitamin A: 5422.7IU | Vitamin C: 8.9mg | Calcium: 39.5mg | Iron: 3.2mg
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