Authentic Creamy Pastina
Creamy Pastina is the ultimate Italian comfort food, with delicate pasta stars in a rich, savory broth that creates a silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Servings 2
Calories 355kcal
Ingredients
For the Vegetable Broth
- 3 cups (700 ml) water
- 1/4 medium carrot
- 1/4 medium onion
- 1/2 medium celery stick
- 1/2 medium potato
- A pinch kosher salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) tomato paste
For the pasta
- 1 cup (160 g) pastina (tiny pasta stars or other shape)
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a pot, bring 3 cups (700 ml) of water to a boil. While the water heats up, slice the carrot, onion, celery, and potato into large pieces. Add the vegetables, a pinch of salt and the tomato paste to the water and let it simmer for about 20 minutes to create a vegetable broth.
- Once the broth has simmered, strain out the vegetables and add 2 cups of broth back into the pot. Save the rest of the broth. Purée the cooked vegetables and set them aside as well.
- In the same pot, add the pastina to the vegetable broth, bringing it to a simmer. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the broth, creating a creamy, risotto-like consistency. Add additional broth of hot water if needed. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Once the pastina is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in the puréed vegetables.
- Spoon the creamy pastina onto plates. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 355kcal | Protein: 12.4g