Whenever you have comfort food cravings or need to warm yourself up with a delicious bowl of something hot and light – minestrina or pastina soup is absolutely THE best.
Italians often joke that pastina is an Italian penicillin. And that’s because when you’re sick or not feeling good pastina is what an Italian mom or nonna would make to make you feel better.
And it works!
From early childhood minestrina is one of the most beloved baby foods, so you can easily make it for the whole family.
Pastina literally means “little pasta” and it comes in so many different teeny tiny shapes.
So even if you make it often it’s never boring.
You can use any type from orzo pastina, stelline or star pastina (most favorite) to farfalline and even small ditalini pasta.
As to the broth you can use boullion cubes or better than boullion but of course nothing beats rich homemade chicken broth.
Now, you might have heard or or even make pastina soup before, but there’s an Italian secret that makes it pure joy.
Parmareggio or melted Parmesan cheese triangles.
You might be tempted to skip them but trust me, don’t!
Parmareggio is what makes pastina soup so creamy and incredibly flavorful, EVEN if you use just water instead of a chicken broth.
And that is another secret 😉
So if you have 10 minutes AT MOST here’s your new go-to comfort food.
Pastina Soup {Minestrina}
Ingredients
- 4 oz pastina any tiny pasta shape
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 Parmareggio triangles melted Parmesan cheese triangles
- Parmesan cheese grated
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Bring chicken broth to boil, add pastina. Cook for 5-8 minutes depending on the shape you’ve chosen. Check pastina cooking time on the package.
- Pour pastina with boullion in a soup bowl. Add parmareggio triangle, a splash of extra virgin olive oil and some grated Parmesan cheese if you like.
- Garnish with a small rosemary sprig.
- Serve hot!
Notes
If you like you can add a twist to this classic minestrina. add some sweet peas, finely chopped carrots and celery for a veggie rich version or add a beaten egg for more protein and even more creaminess.
Buon Appetito!
