My Easy Pastina recipe is a nostalgic Italian comfort food that your kids are sure to love. It's buttery, cheesy and savory, and is like a warm hug in a bowl especially when little ones aren't feeling well. Made with only 4 pantry-staple ingredients and in 10 minutes, pastina makes an easy lunch or dinner for the little ones, it's even more soothing to the soul when they can dip a soft and fluffy white bread into the cheesy broth.
Pastina is a comforting and warm meal that brings back lots of memories of being sick on the couch. There's something about the tiny star shaped pasta in a creamy milky broth that can soothe any ailment. Just like our classic butter spaghetti recipe, this simple pastina recipe is one that I'm going to ensure gets passed down for generations of kids and grandkids to come.
Table Of Contents
Why You'll Love Our Easy Pastina Recipe
- It's meant to be gentle and comforting, so it's not overloaded with spices and seasonings, making it an easy and quick meal to soothe little tummies.
- With just a few ingredients (broth, butter, cheese), you'll have a cozy satisfying meal that feels like home.
Ingredients
- Vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- Pastina
- Unsalted butter
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley, chives or oregano if desired (for serving)
Can I Use A Different Pasta Instead Of Pastina?
If you can't find or don't have pastina, you could also use acini di pepe, orzo, ditalini, or another tiny pasta in place of pastina, like alphabets.
How Can I Make Pastina Creamy?
To make pastina creamy, add milk once it's done cooking. Stir and turn off the burner, keeping the pot over the hot burner to warm the milk. Start by adding a few tablespoons of milk, adding more to get it to the creaminess you'd like.
Is Pastina Good For Babies And Toddlers?
Yes! This is a great, soft pasta dinner for babies and toddlers. You may want to leave out the vegetables depending on their age.
Kristina's Tips
- Have leftovers? You can easily add pastina leftovers to a soup or casserole, or another recipe that calls for small cooked pasta.
- Add a splash of warm milk with the parmesan cheese and butter to make it even more creamy.
- Pastina absorbs liquid quickly, so if it becomes too dry before serving you can add a splash of milk, broth or more butter.
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the pastina. Cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the butter and grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until both are melted into the pasta. Turn off the heat.
- Serve and add salt, pepper, and freshly chopped parsley as desired.
How To Store Pastina
Store leftover pastina in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals until thoroughly warm.
Recipe
Easy Pastina
Equipment
- medium sized pot
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup pastina
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- freshly chopped parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the pastina. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- Add the butter and grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until both are melted into the pasta. Turn off the heat.
- Serve and add salt, pepper, and freshly chopped parsley as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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