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My buddy's Italian grandma used to make this amazing Pastina Soup on Sunday afternoons. Those little star pasta bits swimming in veggie broth really hit the spot. It's become my trusted standby whenever someone's feeling sick or just needs something warm and soothing.
The Magic Behind This Heartwarming Soup
The best thing about this soup is how fast it's ready. You'll have something that tastes slow-cooked in just 25 minutes flat. You can leave it plain with just veggies or throw in any protein you want. My little ones nicknamed it 'star soup' and they always want more.
Simple Items You'll Need
- Pastina Pasta: Tiny stars or dots that transform this soup completely.
- Vegetables: Flavorful onions celery and carrots form our taste foundation.
- Garlic: Nothing beats a few fresh cloves.
- Bay Leaf: A single leaf adds wonderful richness.
- Vegetable Broth: Go for low-sodium to adjust salt yourself.
- The Finishers: Drizzle with good olive oil parsley and parmesan to top it off.
Creating Your Bowl Of Comfort
- Prep Your Stuff
- Just roughly cut those vegetables since they'll end up blended anyway.
- Create The Base
- Dump everything into your largest pot and simmer until your kitchen smells wonderful.
- Make It Creamy
- Remove the bay leaf and blend those vegetables until perfectly smooth.
- Cook The Pasta
- Pour in your pastina and watch the soup change before your eyes.
- Serve It Up
- Fill your bowls add your favorite toppings and enjoy those happy faces.
Handy Cooking Tips
Don't forget to keep the pastina moving as it tends to stick to the pot bottom. Watch the cooking time carefully you want the pasta al dente not soggy. And here's a game-changing trick throw an old chunk of parmesan rind in while simmering for amazing flavor depth.
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Storage Advice
This soup stays good in your fridge for up to 4 days. When warming it up you'll need to add water since it thickens while sitting. For freezing just store the broth part and cook fresh pasta later it only takes a few minutes.
Answers To Your Questions
- What's pastina anyway? They're super tiny cute pasta shapes made for soups.
- Is it healthy? Totally full of vegetables and really satisfying.
- Can I make it ahead? The soup base yes but add fresh pasta when serving.
- Need extra protein? Just add some white beans or leftover chicken.
- Any other garnishes? Try fresh herbs a squeeze of lemon or whatever you fancy.
Foods That Go Well Together
A chunk of crusty bread makes the perfect dipper for this soup. I sometimes serve it before a hearty lasagna or pair it with a crisp green Italian salad for a complete meal. It's so comforting but doesn't leave you feeling stuffed.
The Joy You'll Experience
This soup feels like snuggling under a warm blanket. It works wonders when you're sick need dinner in a hurry or just want something cozy. And guess what? The leftovers taste even better but you might not have any left!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s pastina?
In Italian, pastina means 'little pasta.' These tiny shapes, like stars (stelline), are a classic pick for light broths and soups.
- → Can I prep the soup early?
The veggie broth can be made ahead, but it’s best to cook the pasta fresh. Tiny noodles soak up liquid and may turn too mushy if left for long.
- → What works instead of pastina?
If pastina isn’t available, try small pastas like orzo, acini di pepe, or even broken vermicelli. Just cook them according to their package times.
- → Why blend the veggies?
Blending the vegetables gives you a rich, creamy texture naturally—no cream needed. It also thickens the soup while locking in great nutrients.
- → How do I make it heartier?
Add bits of cooked chicken, chunky veggies, or beans. You could also leave some vegetables unblended for more texture and variety.
Conclusion
A velvety soup of tiny pasta stars nestled in blended veggies and flavorful broth, ready to warm you up in no time.