Cozy Hearty Vegetable Pastina Recipe for Tiny Pasta Lovers

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of vegetable pastina, a delightful Italian-inspired dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Tiny pasta pearls dance with colorful vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

Families have cherished this simple yet nourishing meal for generations.

Packed with nutrients and love, each spoonful tells a story of home-cooked goodness.

Soft pastina absorbs the rich vegetable broth, making every bite a comforting embrace.

This recipe offers a quick and delicious solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekend meals.

Dive into this wholesome culinary experience and let the magic of pastina transport you to a world of delectable simplicity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Hearty Vegetable Pastina Ingredient Breakdown

• Onion: Adds a sweet, aromatic base that deepens the soup's flavor profile.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the dish.
• Celery: Provides a subtle herbaceous undertone and crisp texture.
• Garlic: Infuses a robust, pungent kick that elevates the overall taste.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates a rich, comforting liquid foundation for the soup.
• Bay Leaf: Offers a subtle herbal complexity and depth to the broth.
• Parmesan Rind: Contributes a savory, umami undertone during simmering.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the soup's flavors.

• Pastina Pasta: Tiny pasta that provides a delightful, hearty texture.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, clean garnish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds a creamy finish.
• Olive Oil: Delivers a smooth, rich drizzle to complete the dish.
• Water: Used for blending and adjusting soup consistency.

Kitchen Gear for Hearty Pastina Comfort

• Large Pot: Essential for simmering vegetables and cooking pasta, with enough space for all ingredients.
• Blender or Immersion Blender: Perfect for transforming cooked vegetables into a smooth, creamy base.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Helps quickly and safely prepare vegetables with clean cuts.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving the warm, comforting soup into bowls.
• Measuring Cup: Useful for accurately measuring water when blending vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring pasta and preventing it from sticking to the pot.
• Strainer: Helps separate cooked vegetables from the broth before blending.

Cooking Pastina the Simple and Cozy Way

• Vegetable Preparation

Chop onions, carrots, celery, and garlic into rustic pieces. Embrace imperfection as these veggies will transform later.

• Broth Magic

Pour vegetable broth into a large pot. Toss in chopped vegetables with a bay leaf and optional parmesan rind. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Let everything bubble and simmer for 20 minutes over medium heat.

• Veggie Transformation

Test vegetable tenderness with a fork. Remove bay leaf and parmesan rind. Strain vegetables, saving the broth. Blend veggies with water until silky smooth.

• Pasta Dance

Return blended vegetables to the pot with reserved broth. Stir and bring to a rolling boil. Add pastina pasta, gently stirring to prevent sticking. Cook for 5-6 minutes until pasta reaches creamy perfection.

• Cozy Serving

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley, grated parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy this comforting meal while it’s hot.

Flavor Boosts for a Richer Veggie Bowl

• Veggie Broth Boost: Save extra vegetable broth for future soups or freeze in ice cube trays for convenient flavor additions to other recipes.
• Pasta Perfect Swap: Replace pastina with orzo, small shells, or stelline for similar texture and kid-friendly appeal if pastina is unavailable.
• Protein Power-Up: Add cooked white beans, shredded chicken, or cubed tofu to transform this light soup into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Herb Heaven Hack: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or oregano during vegetable simmering to create deeper, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Seasonal Sensation: Rotate seasonal vegetables like zucchini in summer or butternut squash in autumn to keep the recipe exciting and connected to local produce availability.

How to Plate Hearty Vegetable Pastina

• Comfort Food Companion: Pair this warm, hearty vegetable pastina soup with a slice of crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Cheese Lover's Delight: Sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top or add a dollop of ricotta for a creamy, rich texture that complements the vegetable base.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the meal by adding cooked shredded chicken, white beans, or tofu for a more substantial and nutritionally balanced dish that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with a handful of fresh basil, chives, or a mix of herbs to brighten the soup's flavor and add a pop of color to your bowl.

Store This Dish for Easy Reheating

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Cool completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer Batch Prep: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup gently on stovetop, adding splash of vegetable broth to restore original consistency. Stir frequently to prevent bottom scorching and ensure even heating.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store pasta and soup separately if planning multiple meals. Keep pastina in sealed container and broth in another to prevent pasta from becoming mushy during storage.

Comforting Vegetable Pastina Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Pastina vegetable soup warms hearts with Mediterranean comfort. Nutrient-rich ingredients and simple preparation make this classic Italian recipe a nourishing meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 L) vegetable broth (low-sodium or chicken broth)
• 1 cup (237 mL) pastina pasta (stelline shape)
• 1 brown onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery sticks
• 4 cloves garlic
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 1 parmesan rind (optional)
• Chopped parsley
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Drizzle of olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Chop onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into rustic, uneven pieces to enhance aromatic release.
2. Broth Creation: Combine vegetable broth with chopped vegetables, bay leaf, and parmesan rind in a large pot, simmering on medium heat for 20 minutes until vegetables become supremely tender.
3. Flavor Extraction: Remove bay leaf and parmesan rind, then strain vegetables while reserving the flavorful broth. Puree vegetables in a blender, adding water to achieve a smooth consistency.
4. Soup Assembly: Reunite vegetable puree with reserved broth, whisking to create a harmonious liquid base. Bring to a rolling boil and add pastina pasta, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping.
5. Cooking Pasta: Simmer pastina for 5-6 minutes until perfectly al dente, allowing it to absorb the vegetable-infused liquid.
6. Serving: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese shavings, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

• Chop Strategically: Uneven vegetable cuts release more flavor and create rustic texture, enhancing overall taste profile.
• Flavor Layering: Parmesan rind and bay leaf are secret weapons for developing deep, complex taste without additional ingredients.
• Texture Transformation: Blending vegetables creates creamy base without adding heavy cream, making recipe lighter and more nutritious.
• Pasta Perfection: Constant stirring prevents pastina from sticking, ensuring even cooking and ideal al dente consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg