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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Chop onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into rustic, uneven pieces to enhance aromatic release.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cooking Pasta: Simmer pastina for 5-6 minutes until perfectly al dente, allowing it to absorb the vegetable-infused liquid.
- 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