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Cozy Italian Pastina Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 149 reviews

Cozy Italian Pastina Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and delicate pastina pasta simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with Parmesan rind and tomato paste. Perfect for a warming meal, this soup is both soothing and packed with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pound carrots, medium diced (baby carrots can be used for convenience)
  • 3 medium stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon paste (e.g., Better Than Bouillon)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 Parmesan rind

Proteins and Pasta

  • 4 cups cooked chopped chicken (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2/3 cup Pastina pasta (Acini di pepe)

Seasonings and Garnishes

  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Fresh lemon juice, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 7-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
  2. Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in fresh ground black pepper, dried thyme, chicken bouillon paste, and tomato paste. Cook this mixture for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  3. Simmer with Broth and Parmesan: Pour in the chicken broth and add the Parmesan rind. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to develop rich flavors.
  4. Puree Vegetables: Remove the Parmesan rind with a slotted spoon and discard. Transfer the cooked vegetables and 1/2 cup of the broth to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Return the puree to the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Cook Pastina Pasta: Bring the soup back to a boil. Add the Pastina pasta and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or according to the package directions, until tender.
  6. Add Cooked Chicken and Rest: Stir the cooked chopped chicken into the soup. Season again if desired. Cover the pot and let the soup sit for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the pasta to soften further.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, freshly chopped parsley, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if preferred for a bright finish.

Notes

  • Use homemade or store-bought cooked chicken; leftover roast chicken works well.
  • Pureeing the vegetables adds creaminess without cream, enhancing the soup’s texture naturally.
  • Allowing the soup to rest covered after adding chicken and pasta helps the flavors meld and the pasta absorb more broth.
  • Pastina (Acini di pepe) is a tiny Italian pasta; if unavailable, substitute with orzo or other small pasta shapes.
  • Adjust seasoning carefully after pureeing, as blending can mellow the flavors.

Keywords: Italian soup, chicken pastina soup, comforting soup, easy dinner, one pot soup, homestyle soup, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/cozy-italian-pastina-soup-recipe/