Creamy Pastina Soup: Authentic Italian Comfort Food

Updated at: 29/05/2025

Pastina soup, a beloved Italian comfort food, is a simple yet deeply satisfying dish perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a nourishing meal. Its delicate broth, studded with tiny pasta shapes called pastina, offers a subtle yet flavorful experience that’s both comforting and surprisingly elegant. The beauty of pastina lies in its versatility; you can easily adapt the recipe to your liking, adding vegetables, herbs, or even a touch of Parmesan cheese for extra richness. This humble soup is a testament to the magic of simple ingredients transformed into something truly special.

This recipe guides you through creating a classic, creamy pastina soup brimming with authentic Italian flavors. From selecting the perfect broth to achieving that signature creamy texture, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you achieve a delicious and comforting bowl of pastina that will become a family favorite. Ready to embark on this culinary journey? Let's get started!

Tools Needed

  • Pot
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • Onion: 1 whole
  • Garlic: 6 cloves
  • Carrots: 2
  • Celery: 2 pieces
  • Chicken broth: 32 oz
  • Water: 1 cup
  • Chicken bouillon cube: 1
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Parmesan rind
  • Turmeric
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Lemon: 1/2
  • Pastina
  • Egg: 1
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Butter: 4 tablespoons
  • Olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Preparing the Flavorful Broth

  • Combine onion, garlic, carrots, celery, chicken broth, water, chicken bouillon cube, bay leaf, parmesan rind, and turmeric in a pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Once the vegetables are tender, blend the soup until smooth using a blender.
  • Return the blended soup to the pot and let it cook for a bit. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Juice half a lemon into the broth.
Combine onion, garlic, carrots, celery, chicken broth, water, chicken bouillon cube, bay leaf, parmesan rind, and turmeric in a pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.Once the vegetables are tender, blend the soup until smooth using a blender.Return the blended soup to the pot and let it cook for a bit. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Juice half a lemon into the broth.
Preparing the Flavorful Broth

Step 2. Cooking the Pastina

  • In a separate pot, boil the pastina according to package directions. Remember to salt the water.
  • In a bowl, whisk together one egg and parmesan cheese.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add four tablespoons of butter and the egg mixture. Stir to combine and cook until the egg is set.
In a separate pot, boil the pastina according to package directions. Remember to salt the water.In a bowl, whisk together one egg and parmesan cheese.Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add four tablespoons of butter and the egg mixture. Stir to combine and cook until the egg is set.
Cooking the Pastina

Step 3. Creating the Creamy Egg Mixture

  • In a bowl, whisk together one egg and parmesan cheese.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add four tablespoons of butter and the egg mixture. Stir to combine and cook until the egg is set.
In a bowl, whisk together one egg and parmesan cheese.Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add four tablespoons of butter and the egg mixture. Stir to combine and cook until the egg is set.
Creating the Creamy Egg Mixture

Step 4. Serving the Creamy Pastina Soup

  • To serve, add the pastina to a bowl. Ladle the broth over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, add the pastina to a bowl. Ladle the broth over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Serving the Creamy Pastina Soup

Read more: Italian Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons: A Delicious Recipe

Tips

  • You can never have too much salt and pepper!

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. Can I use different types of pasta instead of pastina?

While pastina is traditional, small pasta shapes like ditalini, tiny shells, or even rice work well as substitutes. Choose a pasta that cooks quickly.

2. How can I make the soup creamier?

For extra creaminess, stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or crème fraîche at the end of cooking. A little Parmesan cheese also adds richness and creaminess.


This creamy pastina soup is a testament to the simple elegance of Italian cooking, offering a comforting and flavorful experience with minimal effort. Enjoy this heartwarming bowl as a light meal, a cozy starter, or a perfect side dish to complement your favorite Italian main course. Buon appetito!