Description
Comforting Italian penicillin pastina soup delivers healing warmth through generations of nonna’s kitchen wisdom. Nourishing broth with delicate pasta brings wellness and love to anyone seeking culinary solace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup pastina (tiny pasta)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 egg (optional, for extra richness)
- 1/4 cup (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1/2 small onion, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium temperature, gently sautéing chopped carrots, celery, onions, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, allowing mixture to reach a robust boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes to develop rich, harmonious flavors.
- Add pastina to the simmering broth, stirring periodically and cooking according to package directions until pasta reaches an al dente consistency, typically 6-8 minutes.
- For egg enhancement, vigorously whisk egg in a separate bowl, then delicately stream into hot soup while continuously stirring, creating delicate, silky egg ribbons throughout the liquid.
- Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and integrated, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall taste profile.
- Transfer steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Transform this soup into a healing, comforting meal by choosing organic vegetables for maximum nutrient density.
- Use homemade chicken broth to enhance flavor and create a richer, more authentic Italian comfort experience.
- Customize the protein by substituting shredded rotisserie chicken or adding leftover roasted chicken pieces for extra heartiness.
- Adapt for dietary needs by using gluten-free pastina or replacing with quinoa for a low-carb alternative that maintains the soup’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 212 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg