This fast pastina recipe lets the delicate taste of the pasta shine through, balanced by the creamy texture of butter and the savory undertones of Parmesan.
It’s a flexible recipe that can be eaten on its own or with any sort of meal as an appetizer. Here’s the good thing about the pastina recipe: it’s easy to make within 10 minutes. It needs just a few ingredients to make this simple, easy, and delicious pastina recipe. It is also a beloved recipe among kids. Pastina is a light, buttery, and savory meal. Find more delicious dishes on cookcraving
What will you need to make Italian Pastina?
Pastina recipe is very easy to make with a few basic ingredients. There are various additional items for the pastina recipe, but you can make it more delicious with a few basic ingredients.
- Pastina: Pastina, often known as “tiny pasta” in Italian, is a versatile and small pasta. Because of its tiny size, it absorbs flavors effectively, making it excellent for quick-cooking foods such as soups or basic pasta preparations. There are various shapes of pastina. Each has its own distinct texture and may be used to accent a variety of recipes.
- Butter: Butter, a traditional and decadent ingredient, gives richness as well as a creamy, silky texture to the pastina. Its taste complements the total meal, producing a warm and gratifying feeling.
- Parmesan cheese: The savory and salty flavor characteristic of Parmesan cheese adds an extra layer of umami to the meal. When grated Parmesan is melted into the pastina, it adds a savory flavor that balances the buttery overtones.
- Olive oil: The delicious and somewhat bitter taste of extra virgin olive oil can be used to sauté the pastina or poured over the final meal. It gives a luxury touch to the dish and can improve its flavor profile by balancing the butter and Parmesan.
- Broth: I use vegetable broth in my pastina recipe, but you can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth to make an Italian version of chicken noodle soup. The tasty liquid basis for cooking the pastina is vegetable broth. Its savory and fragrant properties provide depth to the pasta, resulting in a complete flavor. The broth can be handmade or purchased from a shop.
- Seasonings: Salt and ground black pepper are the basic seasonings for any recipe, which gives it an overall taste. Salt brings out the inherent tastes of foods and is essential for generating a well-balanced flavor. Black pepper offers a slight spice and enhances the butter and cheese’s richness. Seasoning to taste helps make sure the tastes are well-balanced.
How do I prepare the best pastina within 10 minutes or less?
1. In a medium-sized skillet, bring together vegetable broth, pastina, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and continuously stir the pastina until it becomes puffy.
2. Remove the pastina from the heat, season with salt and black pepper, and mix to combine.
3. Pour the grated parmesan cheese over the pastina and stir thoroughly the cheese into the pastina. Drizzle the olive oil over the pastina.
4. Serve immediately your cheesy, creamy, savory pastina, top with extra virgin olive oil, and enjoy!
What is Italian pastina?
Pastina is a sort of tiny pasta that is often used in Italian cuisine. The word “pastina” literally means “small pasta” in Italian. Pastina is frequently used in stews, broths, soups, and other meals that call for little pasta forms. These little pasta types are often produced with durum wheat semolina or a mix of durum wheat semolina and other flours. Pastina shapes that are popular include minuscule stars, alphabets, small tubes, and other smaller forms.
Pastina cooks rapidly and is ideal for providing texture to soups and stews due to its tiny size. Its savory appeal makes it popular with kids as well as adults. Cooks frequently add the little pasta straight to the broth or soup when preparing recipes with Italian pastina. Pastina recipes are an easy, filling, and hearty aspect of Italian cuisine. There are some additional ingredients in the pastina recipe, like carrots, onions, celery stalks, and eggs. You can make the broth at home easily with a few ingredients. Simply add onions, bay leaves, carrots, celery stalks, and chicken bones and cook for about 2 hours for that depth of flavor.
Main courses to pair with pasta
Pastina is commonly used in soups and broths, but here I will recommend some more ways to combine it with main courses:
- Chicken and Pastina Soup: For a hearty soup that can be served as a main dish, add pastina with a rich chicken broth, cooked chicken chunks, and veggies.
- Pastina with Meatballs: Toss pastina with tiny meatballs and a sauce made from tomatoes on top. This traditional combo is both gratifying and delectable.
- Combine cooked pasta with roasted veggies such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a vegan pasta. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or tomato sauce.
- Pastina with Pesto: Combine pastina with a zesty pesto sauce consisting of fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil. For added flavor, toss in some cherry tomatoes or roasted veggies.
- Some people are seafood lovers, and for those, I will recommend pairing pasta with shrimp or scallops.
Best Pastina Recipe Tips and Tricks:
To make the most delicious and best pastina recipe, here I will describe some important tips and tricks that will be helpful in making a perfect pastina recipe.
1. Best pastina type: There are many types of pastina, but I will recommend stelline (little star) pastina.
2. Quality broth: I use vegetable broth in my pastina recipe, but there are many other options for broth, like chicken broth or beef broth. Sometimes I use my fresh homemade broth, which I make with onions, carrots, celery stalks, and chicken bones, which makes my pastina recipe more delicious. You can use store-bought broth, but I will recommend a good-quality broth that includes the best items.
3. Stirring: While cooking, stir the pastina continuously to keep it from sticking together. This is particularly true for tiny forms such as stars or alphabets. Keep an eye on the pasta, as it cooks fast and can get mushy if overdone.
4. Add flavors: If you’re preparing a basic pasta meal with olive oil, herbs, and Parmesan, add these components toward the conclusion of the cooking procedure. This keeps the taste fresh and lively.
5. Don’t Miss the Garnishes: A sprinkling of fresh herbs, an additional grind of freshly ground black pepper, or a squeeze of lemon may bring your pasta meal to life.
Faq about the Pastina Recipe:
1. What can you substitute for pastina?
If you cannot find pastina on hand or are seeking a substitute, you have a few possibilities.
1. Orzo: tiny rice-shaped pasta. It is good for soup and other dishes.
2. Israeli Couscous: It is larger than pastina and has a pleasing texture.
3. Acini di pepe: This is also a small, round-shaped pasta, which is a good substitute.
4. Quinoa is a good substitute for a gluten-free version.
5. Tiny pasta: There are more other tiny pasta shapes that you can substitute for pastina, like ditalini and tubettini. These are the best choices for making simple pasta recipes.
2. Is pastina good for you?
Pastina, like many other forms of pasta, may be a nutritious element of a balanced diet when taken in moderation. Pastina is rich in carbohydrates and some additional nutrients like iron and vitamin B, but naturally low in fat. You can combine the pastina with a range of nutrient-dense items, such as vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats, to provide a complete meal.
Pastina Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium sized-skillet for preparing the pastina.
- 6 serving bowls for 6 servings
- 1 spatula for stirring the pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pastina Stelline pasta (star-shaped) you can use another shaped pasta.
- 5 cups vegetable broth chicken broth can be used.
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- drizzle olive oil extra virgin
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take a large skillet, add the pastina and butter to the vegetable broth, and cook for about 8–10 minutes. and bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Be careful to stir continuously pastina that doesn’t stick with each other until it becomes puffy.
- Seasoning: Add salt, ground black pepper, and cheese to the pastina. Stir the pastina thoroughly until everything nicely combines with each other and becomes tender.
- Serving: Once the pasta is completely cooked, sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, olive oil, and fresh chopped parsley (optional). Serve the pasta soup warm and enjoy a hearty, quick Italian dinner.
Notes
- Carbohydrates: (70 grams)
- Protein: (15 grams)
- Fat: (4 grams)
- Monounsaturated fat: (1 gram)
- Cholesterol: (8 milligrams)
- Sodium: (1600 milligrams)
- Potassium: (10 milligrams)
- Fiber: (3 grams)
- Sugar: (4 grams)
- Vitamin A: (7459 IU)
- Calcium: (150 milligrams)
- Iron: (5 milligrams)