Description
A heartwarming and simple bowl of comfort, this classic Pastina recipe features tiny star-shaped pasta simmered in a rich, savory chicken broth. Finished with creamy butter and salty Parmesan cheese, it is the ultimate quick meal for busy days. Known as Italian penicillin, this soul-soothing dish comes together in just minutes, making it a perfect, elegant solution for a fast lunch or a gentle dinner. It is simple, customizable, and guaranteed to delight both kids and adults alike with its silky, comforting texture.
Ingredients
1 cup pastina pasta (star-shaped)
4 cups high-quality chicken broth
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of black pepper
1/4 cup finely diced cooked chicken breast (optional)
Instructions
Pour the chicken broth into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Add the pastina to the boiling broth and reduce heat to medium, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Simmer for 6-8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed some of the flavorful broth.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture is silky.
Stir in cooked chicken if using, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
Pastina absorbs liquid quickly; add a splash of extra broth when reheating to restore the creamy consistency. For a thicker texture, simmer longer, or add more broth for a soupier result. You can swap chicken broth for beef bone broth for a deeper flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg