10+ Pastina Recipes to Warm Your Soul and Delight Your Taste Buds

Pastina is a tiny, no-fuss pasta that brings a sense of comfort and warmth straight to your kitchen. It cooks up fast and is easy to love, especially when you want something cozy but don’t feel like spending all day at the stove.

You can toss pastina into all sorts of recipes—great for busy nights or when you’re after something light and soothing.

This little pasta usually needs just a handful of ingredients, yet it packs in plenty of flavor and comfort. Whether you’re after a quick soup or a creamy bowl, pastina recipes make it easy to whip up something tasty without much hassle.

Exploring pastina is a good way to keep your cooking simple but still satisfying.

1) Classic Pastina in Broth

Classic pastina in broth is about as simple as it gets, but it doesn’t skimp on comfort. You cook the tiny, star-shaped pasta in chicken broth until it’s soft.

A bit of butter melts in, making everything smoother and richer. This dish comes together fast—ideal when you just want something warm and easy.

You can go with store-bought or homemade broth, whatever you have on hand. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan if you’re in the mood for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chicken broth (8 oz)
• ½ cup dry pastina (3 oz)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium pot.
2. Add pastina and butter.
3. Stir and cook for 4-6 minutes until the pasta is tender.
4. Season with salt.
5. Top with Parmesan if you feel like it.

2) Creamy Parmesan Pastina

Creamy Parmesan pastina is pure comfort in a bowl. You cook the tiny pasta in chicken broth for flavor, then stir in butter, a handful of Parmesan, and a whisked egg.

The egg cooks gently as you mix, giving the dish a silky, rich texture. If you want a hint of brightness, add a squeeze of lemon juice.

This comes together fast, so you can make it even on a hectic day. Enjoy it as is, or maybe with some veggies on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pastina
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, whisked
• Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a small pot.
2. Add pastina and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Turn down the heat and stir in butter and Parmesan.
4. Slowly add the whisked egg, stirring constantly.
5. Cook for 1-2 minutes until creamy.
6. Add lemon juice if you want. Serve warm.

Learn more about creamy pastina here.

3) Pastina with Carrots and Celery

This pastina recipe keeps things simple and comforting. You cook the tiny pasta with carrots and celery in chicken broth, making a mild, tasty soup.

Start by sautéing chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Pour in chicken broth and bring it to a simmer.

Add the pastina and cook just a few more minutes. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan if you want a little extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pastina pasta
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pot over medium and sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until soft.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the pastina and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
4. Serve hot, with Parmesan if you’d like.

More pastina soup ideas

4) Vegetable Acini di Pepe Bowl

This vegetable acini di pepe bowl is honestly comforting and so easy. You cook the tiny pasta in vegetable broth, then toss in veggies like carrots, celery, and spinach.

The small pasta cooks up quickly, so this meal is ready in no time. Top it with Parmesan or fresh herbs if you want to dress it up.

You can add garlic or onion for extra flavor. It’s light, but it fills you up just enough.

Ingredients

• 1 cup acini di pepe pasta
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a pot.
2. Add pasta, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook 5-7 minutes until pasta is soft.
3. Stir in spinach and cook 1-2 minutes more.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot, with Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.

5) Pastina with Olive and Tomato

Here’s a simple, flavorful pastina dish with olive oil and tomato. Start by gently sautéing diced onion and garlic in olive oil—it smells amazing.

Add tomato purée and let it simmer for a few minutes. Pour in some hot broth to make a smooth base.

Add your pastina and cook until it’s soft, stirring often so it doesn’t stick. The pasta soaks up the tomato and olive oil, making a light meal that’s just right when you want something easy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small white onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato purée
• 3 cups hot broth (vegetable or chicken)
• 1 cup pastina

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato purée, cook for 3 minutes.
4. Pour in hot broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Add pastina and cook, stirring often, until tender (7-10 minutes).
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

For a full guide, check Tomato Pastina recipes.

6) Italian Penicillin Pastina Soup

This soup is the go-to when you’re feeling under the weather. You cook pastina in chicken broth with carrots, celery, and onions.

Garlic and a parmesan rind add extra flavor. Let everything simmer slowly so the flavors come out.

The broth stays light but has plenty of taste, and the pastina gets perfectly soft. It’s a quick meal that feels like a big, warm hug.

People call it “Italian Penicillin” for a reason—it’s gentle and nourishing.

Ingredients

• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4-5 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 cup pastina pasta
• Parmesan rind
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat chicken broth over medium.
2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and parmesan rind. Simmer 20 minutes.
3. Remove parmesan rind and garlic.
4. Stir in pastina and cook 5-7 minutes until soft.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

For more details, see the Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe.

7) Nonna’s Stelline Pasta Soup

This classic soup uses tiny star-shaped pasta called stelline. It’s simple and comforting—just what you want on a chilly day.

Make a light broth with chicken or vegetable stock. Add the stelline and let it simmer until the pasta is soft.

A bit of butter and Parmesan at the end really brings it together. If you want a richer soup, beat an egg and stir it in.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup stelline pasta
• 1 egg (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring broth to a boil.
2. Add stelline and cook until tender, about 7 minutes.
3. If using, beat the egg and stir it in slowly.
4. Add butter and Parmesan. Stir until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

8) Pastina with Pesto and Pine Nuts

Mix cooked pastina with pesto—homemade or store-bought, whatever you like. The pesto brings a bright basil flavor and some richness.

Toast pine nuts in a dry pan to bring out their flavor. Stir them into the pastina so every bite has some crunch.

Add Parmesan if you want more flavor. This dish is quick and works for lunch or as a side. Serve it warm or even at room temp if you’re running around.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pastina
• 1/3 cup pesto
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pastina according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Toast pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.
3. Mix pastina with pesto in a bowl.
4. Stir in pine nuts and Parmesan if you’re using it.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

9) Dried Fruit and Nut Pastina Salad

You can whip up a tasty pastina salad by tossing in dried fruit and nuts. The chewy bits of dried fruit mingle nicely with the crunch of pine nuts or walnuts.

This combo brings a little sweetness and a satisfying texture. I love how colorful it looks, too.

Toss cooked pastina with dried cranberries or raisins. Add roasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for that toasty crunch.

A simple vinaigrette keeps things fresh and light. Honestly, it’s a breeze to throw together.

You can swap in whatever dried fruit or nuts you’ve got on hand. It’s flexible, and that’s half the fun.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pastina
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts, roasted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pastina according to the package. Drain it and rinse with cold water.
2. Roast nuts in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes until golden.
3. Mix pastina, dried fruit, and nuts in a bowl.
4. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then toss with the salad.
5. Chill for 15 minutes before serving. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.

10) Pastina Comfort Soup with Parmesan

This pastina soup is pure comfort—warm, simple, and easy to love. Just cook pastina in a broth made from chicken or veggie stock with garlic, onions, carrots, and celery.

Parmesan gives it a mild, nutty flavor and makes the soup feel a little richer. You can have a bowl ready in about 30 minutes, which is perfect for busy days or when you’re under the weather.

The soft pastina makes the soup smooth and easy to eat. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pastina pasta
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour the broth into a pot and set it over medium heat.

2. Toss in the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Let everything simmer until those veggies feel nice and soft.

3. Stir in the pastina. Cook it for about 5 to 8 minutes, just until it turns tender.

4. Take the pot off the heat. Mix in the Parmesan cheese—don’t be shy with it if you love cheese.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve it up warm and cozy.

Want more detail? Check out this Pastina Soup recipe.