Quick & Easy Italian Pastina Recipe

Name: Quick & Easy Italian Pastina Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ cup Pastina; 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; Salt to taste; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; ¼ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (grated); A drizzle of olive oil

Pastina, a very comforting dish that can be eaten any time of day, holds a special place in the hearts of pasta lovers not only in Italian cuisine but also worldwide. With its small size and quick cooking time, pastina offers endless possibilities for creating soul-warming dishes that evoke nostalgia and delight the taste buds. So get ready and don’t wait; you just need a few ingredients that are listed below to make the easy pastina recipe.

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Why will you love the Pastina Recipe?

Originating from Italy, pastina dishes are everyone’s favorite. Whether you are craving a satisfying pasta dish or a cozy bowl of soup, you will always love it, and some of the main highlighting features that make it beloved by everyone are given below:

Comforting & Nostalgic Dish: Pastina is a very comforting food that brings back memories for many as it is often associated with a warm pasta bowl shared with loved ones.
Kids-Friendly: This tiny, soft-textured pasta is ideal for children due to its customization options and ease of eating.
Quick And Easy: When you’re short on time and have busy weeknights, pastina is a great option for cooking and eating.
Versatile: Pastina can be featured in many dishes, whether it’s soup, sauces, or just topped with a little cheese and broth.

Keynotes:

Serving	Calories	Prep. Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
2	343 kcal	02 mins	08 mins	10 mins

Kitchen Utensils:

Medium size pot
Measuring spoon and bowl
Grater
Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Key Ingredients For Making Pastina Recipe:

½ cup Pastina	Check Price
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth	Check Price
Salt to taste	Check Price
1 tablespoon unsalted butter	Check Price
¼ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (grated)	Check Price
A drizzle of olive oil	Check Price

Making Pastina Recipe (Step-by-Step):

Step-1:

Put 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth in a medium pot and place it over medium-high heat.

Step-2:

As the broth starts boiling, add a pinch of salt or salt of your preference. Mix in the broth.

Step-3:

Now carefully add the pastina pasta to the boiling broth, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Cook pastina according to package instructions or around 7-8 minutes.

Step-4:

Once pasta is cooked or the water is absorbed to 80-85%, stop the flame or heat. Add the butter and grated cheese. Stirring it well until melted. (If you don’t like cheese, you can leave it.)

Step-5:

Now, transfer the pastina to a serving bowl and top it with the drizzle of olive oil and grated parmesan cheese.

Secret Tips For Perfect Result:

Using high-quality ingredients is the most crucial tip because a quality product gives you the taste you expect.
Before adding pastina pasta in broth, check its seasoning if needed, adjust it with salt and pepper.
During cooking, monitor the pastina until the broth is 80-85% absorbed. Turn off the flame to achieve a mushy flavor; otherwise, it will taste dry.
To make the most delicious pastina pasta, you need to balance the flavor, so check it as you finish cooking. If any seasoning is required, add salt and pepper to taste.

Flavor Variations:

Many people like the exact pastina pasta recipe with a simple and authentic flavor, but if you want some changes in its flavor, you can do it. As I told you earlier, it is a versatile dish. However, here are some of the flavor suggestions that might help you:

For a refreshing and zesty taste, toss cooked pastina with sauteed garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice.
For a different bust of flavor, mix cooked pastina with homemade or store-bought pesto sauce and halved cherry tomatoes.
For a heavy meal, brown Italian sausage in a saucepan and then add diced roasted red pepper and cooked pastina.
Sauté minced garlic in olive oil before adding the broth and pastina. Season with a variety of herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley, for a fragrant and flavorful dish.
Add diced tomatoes and fresh basil leaves to the pastina during the last few minutes of cooking.

Toppings (Optional):

The toppings are more likely to create flavor variations, so you can top the pastina dish with your desired toppings. For a savory and nutty flavor, add more grated parmesan cheese; for a crunchy flavor, add toasted breadcrumbs over the pastina; for a fresh look and taste, add chopped parsley or chives; and for an eggy flavor, add the egg yolk after adding the butter.

Serving Suggestion:

In the context of pastina, while it can be enjoyed as a standalone dish, it’s often served as a component within a meal rather than being the main course itself. So, if you need any serving suggestion that suits better with this recipe you can take a look below:

You can serve it as a breakfast along with chilli scrambled eggs and fresh juice to complete the meal.
Pastina can be served after the appetizer or as a starter, like voodoo fries or zinger mountain melt.
Pastina at the dining table looks complete when it is served with a couple of other pasta dishes, like Jimmy Buffet Pasta Salad.
If you are thinking about what kind of sweet dish would be served with pastina, then a good option would be Lemon Cookies Or Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Storage Guidelines:

Although pastina is best enjoyed fresh, storing leftovers can be done with care. Here are a few things to keep in mind before storing them:

Store cooked pastina in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it has cooled completely before refrigerating.
Store uncooked pastina in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. Keep it in its original packaging or transfer to an airtight container to prevent moisture and pests from getting in.
If you want to freeze cooked pastina, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen cooked pastina can last for 1 month in the freezer.
To reheat refrigerated or frozen pastina, you can do so on the stovetop by adding a little water or broth to prevent it from drying out.

FAQs:

Ingredients for making pastina recipes typically include pastina pasta, broth or water, salt, and optional toppings such as butter, olive oil, cheese, herbs, and vegetables.

Substitutes for pastina pasta can include other small pasta shapes such as orzo, couscous, or small macaroni.

Pastina can be a good choice for babies as it is small, easy to eat, and can be mixed with pureed vegetables or broth for added nutrition.

Pastina typically takes around 7-10 minutes to cook completely, depending on the specific type and brand.

To enhance the flavor of pastina, you can cook it with garlic, onions, herbs, spices, vegetables, meats, or cheeses.

Conclusion:

In final words, Pastina stands as a versatile and beloved dish, offering comfort and nostalgia with every bite. Its simplicity, quick preparation, and adaptability make it the best option for any mealtime, especially during a busy day. With flavor variations and optional toppings, Pastina becomes versatile, ensuring satisfaction for pasta enthusiasts. Whether served as a standalone breakfast or paired with complementary dishes, Pastina holds a special place in the hearts of people worldwide.

Quick & Easy Italian Pastina Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 8

Total Time 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2

Calories 343 kcal

Equipment

Medium size pot
Measuring spoon and bowl
Grater
Wooden Spoon Or Spatula

Ingredients

½ cup Pastina
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
¼ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano grated
A drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

Put 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth in a medium pot and place it over medium-high heat.
As the broth starts boiling, add a pinch of salt or salt of your preference. Mix in the broth.
Now carefully add the pastina pasta to the boiling broth, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Cook pastina according to package instructions or around 7-8 minutes.
Once pasta is cooked or the water is absorbed to 80-85%, stop the flame or heat. Add the butter and grated cheese. Stirring it well until melted. (If you don’t like cheese, you can leave it.)
Now, transfer the pastina to a serving bowl and top it with the drizzle of olive oil and grated parmesan cheese.

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