This Italian Pastina Soup has the power to soothe your soul from the inside out! It’s crazy easy to make with a simple broth that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, and all ready in 25 minutes!
Nothing screams comfort food more than a bowl of Pastina Soup, also known in Italian as pastina in brodo. It’s one of my favorite lazy soups to make when you need a quick cozy winter dinner or even if you are feeling sick and can't be in the kitchen cooking for long. It's sure to make you feel instantly better and always hits the spot!
The best part is you only need a handful of basic ingredients and 25 minutes to make this delicious soup! Its healthy and nutritious and also kid friendly with hidden veggies. It's also vegan too so everyone can enjoy this classic Italian staple.
If you want an even simpler variation of pastina, you must also try my cheesy pastina recipe which is another favorite of mine.
The actual name Pastina translates in Italian to “little pasta”. The pastina are literally tiny pieces of pasta which come in so many different shapes and sizes. Living in Italy, I am spoiled for choice when it comes to pastina as the options are endless in the supermarket aisles.
I was first introduced to pastina from my Italian mother in law a few years ago. She made me a bowl when I was sick one day, and since then I haven't let go of it! I call it magic soup as I felt better straight away, which explains why it has a nickname of Italian penicillin. Its a longstanding Italian tradition that has been healing families for generations. All kids grow up eating this Italian soup making it a staple in all homes including mine 🙂
More delicious soups to try are my vegetable noodle soup and pasta e fagioli.
Table of Contents
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This easy pastina soup recipe comes together in less than 25 minutes and made with a handful of basic ingredients
- Healthy and nutritious: Its full of nutrients from the vegetables, broth and pastina pasta making this soup a wholesome dish
- Versatile: You can customize this soup to your liking by keeping it plant based, or adding your favorite protein such as chicken. You can also experiment and add different veggies
- Kid-friendly: The tiny cute pasta shapes make it a joy for kids, and the vegetables are hidden since they are blended into the broth
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Pastina pasta is of course the main star of this soup. The tiny pasta shapes comes in so many different shapes and sizes. I've used stelline today which are shaped in little stars, but other popular shapes are acini di pepe, alphabet pasta and orzo (risoni). Feel free to use gluten free pasta if needed
- Brown onion adds a depth to the broth. You can also use white onion or shallots which are milder and a little sweeter
- Carrots add sweetness and earthiness along with a gorgeous color and warmth to the broth
- Celery is the third component to the sofrito ingredients, which brings a freshness to balance the flavors
- Garlic because why not right! Not only does it make it taste better, but it will also help you heal any sickness from the inside
- Bay leaf infuses the broth with a lovely aromatic essence. Also Nonna always taught us to add bay leafs to our soups and she is 100% always right!
- Vegetable broth / vegetable stock, is my preferred broth to use as the base of the soup. Always use an organic broth with minimal ingredients and low salt for more nutrition. You can also use chicken stock if you are not plant based or vegan. This will give it a chicken soup flavor and profile
- Optional garnish, I love garnishing my pastina soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmigiano reggiano aka parmesan cheese for a little saltiness and umami flavor, but you can totally leave this out or use a plant based alternative to keep it fully vegan. Fresh herbs such as chopped parsley freshens it up, and don't skip a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil which brings it all together!
How to make Pastina Soup
- Chop onion, carrots, celery and garlic cloves (a rough chop will do the job)
- In a large pot, pour vegetable broth, add chopped ingredients, bay leaf and parmesan rind. Season, then place the lid on to simmer for 20 minutes over medium-high heat
- With a fork, check to see if the vegetables are cooked. Remove the bay leaf and rind, then strain out the vegetables with a colander
- Blend the vegetables with ½ cup of water until smooth
- Pour blended veggies into the pot and stir through, taste and season as needed
- Bring back to a boil, then add the pastina pasta
- Pastina usually takes about 5-6 minutes to cook. Stir the pastina every minute or so, to prevent sticking
- It’s ready! Serve with garnish of chopped parsley, parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Pastina has a tendency to stick together, so ensure you stir the soup every minute or so to prevent any sticking, especially on the bottom of the pot
- Don't overcook the pastina as it can become mushy very quickly. It usually only takes 5-7 minutes to cook, so check the package instructions and keep your eye on it
- If you prefer a chunky soup, skip the blending step and enjoy your vegetables in small pieces
- I prefer to only add enough pastina to eat on the day as it can overcook when being reheated. If you’re wishing to make more soup for meal prep, you can then just cook the pastina pasta on the day you’re eating it
- Add a parmesan rind for extra flavor to the broth as it's being simmered. You then remove and discard it before blending the vegetables. I always keep the parmesan rinds in the fridge to add to soups and other dishes like my bolognese sauce and sugo recipe
Storage, Reheating and Freezing
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Simply reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium heat with a splash of water, until it is heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave
- You can freeze pastina soup for up to 2-3 months. I would suggest to only freeze the soup and cook the pasta when you are ready to eat it. Allow the soup to cool completely then store in an airtight freezer-safe container
- When ready, allow the soup to thaw in the fridge overnight or place the container in a bowl of hot water in the sink. Bring the soup to a boil in a pot and cook the pastina pasta and enjoy!
FAQ's
Pastina translates in Italian to “little pasta”. They are very tiny pasta pieces that range in many different shapes and sizes, making it perfect for soup
Yes it sure is! My recipe is made with vegetable broth, blended vegetables and small pasta making it healthy, hearty and wholesome
Absolutely! Its best to make the broth then cook the pastina when you are ready to eat it
More Cozy Soups
- Tortellini Soup
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Pasta e Fagioli
- Lemon Orzo Soup
- Turkish Lentil Soup
- Dumpling Soup
- Thai Red Curry Soup
- Persian Noodle Soup
More Italian Recipes
- Pasta alla Norma
- Saffron Risotto
- No Knead Focaccia
- Spinach Lasagna
- Burrata Pasta
- Italian Hot Chocolate
- Broccoli Pasta
- Limoncello Recipe
- Fregola Pasta
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Italian Pastina Soup photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Italian Pastina Soup (Simple Vegetable Soup in 25 Minutes)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup pastina pasta (I’ve used stelline pastina shape)
- 1 brown onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery sticks
- 4 garlic cloves
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth) - I've used low-sodium
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- *Optional - 1 bay leaf and 1 parmesan rind
- Garnish (optional) - chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese, drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Roughly chop the onion, carrots, celery and garlic cloves (you don’t need to be too precise)
- Pour the vegetable broth in a large pot and add the chopped vegetables, bay leaf and parmesan rind. Season well with salt and black pepper, then place the lid on and simmer for approximately 20 minutes over medium-high heat
- With a fork, check that the vegetables are cooked (they should be soft and tender). Remove the bay leaf and rind then strain out the vegetables through a slotted spoon or colander
- Add the cooked vegetables to a blender with ½ cup of water and blend until smooth
- Pour the blended vegetables back to the pot with the vegetable broth and stir through. Taste for seasoning
- Bring soup back to a boil, then add the pastina pasta. Ensure to stir the pastina every minute or so, to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom (pastina usually takes about 5-6 minutes to cook)Serve in bowls - optional garnish with chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and enjoy your soothing Pastina Soup!
Mary says
Unfortunately Pastina has been discontinued in the US
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh no! All types of pastina? Have you tried Italian supermarkets?
Joy says
We have Weis supermarkets in my area of PA. I get the Barilla brand there all the time. Good luck!
Ayeh Manfre says
Great to hear you can get your hands on it Joy yay!!
MaryLynn says
Can you can this without the pasta? If so, how to process ?
Ayeh Manfre says
You can have it without the pasta of course and just enjoy as a blended veggie soup 🙂
Patricia Gialanella says
My family and I enjoyed this simple, robust, flavorful soup. It was delicious. Paired with a wonderful Italian bread... the best!
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yum sounds great! So happy your family loved it xx
Estelle H-R says
just bought barilla pastina in shoprite near me
Ayeh Manfre says
oh yay!
Jenna says
This was absolutely delicious!
I have a garlic and onion sensitivity so I left those out, and just used other seasonings. It turned out great! The soup tastes like I was slaving away at it all day, but it was quick and easy to make. I absolutely loved this.
Ayeh Manfre says
So lovely to hear Jenna and that you could make the suitable substitutions and still loved it 🙂
Missy says
I used Orzo because I had it on hand and I love it. I added some extra herbs to add more flavor and I love this. I'm getting ready to have my tonsils and androids removed so I wanted a healthy easy soup to have on hand for recovery.
Ayeh Manfre says
I love using orzo for this too. So happy you loved it! Good luck with your procedure dear, wishing a speedy recovery x
Caro says
This was the best. My mom used to make Pastina all the time growing up but I couldn’t eat it when I went vegetarian because her recipe has chicken. Only half blended the veggies to keep some texture. Tastes amazing.
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy you loved it Caro, I love the idea of half blending the veggies too 🙂
Ann says
I found a recipe that substituted the small orzo pasta for pastina. (It looks like rice but it is pasta)
Ayeh Manfre says
Yes perfect! I love using orzo too for pastina recipes 🙂
Janet C Burrell says
Pastina is back!! I can get it at my local grocery store and Italian market.
Ayeh Manfre says
Yay!!!!
Lesley says
I bought San Giorgio pastina today to make this tomorrow.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yay enjoy!!
Annmarie Benson says
Mary, Barilla has taken over making pastina. Ronzoni brand pastina was our American go-to for decades, and we were all so sad when it was discontinued. I think Barilla saw a market and saved the day.
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing!
Elise says
Mary, Barilla makes pastina. I buy it at Walmart.
Karon says
What do you substitute for the pastina
Ayeh Manfre says
You can use use any small pasta such as orzo or risoni also
Cindy says
I bought it at my local grocery store. I did however have to stop at an Italian store in NY to get the parmesan rind.
Making it for dinner tonight
Ayeh Manfre says
Hope you loved it 🙂
Caroline David says
Thank you for yet another good suggestion!
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you liked it Caroline 🙂
Tracey Manson says
Hi Ayeh, Tried this soup. Love it. I like all your recipes. Very delicious food Thank you Now, you need to do a cookbook!
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy you loved it Tracey!! Aw thank you so much xx
Shelly says
Excellent tasting soup! Family loved it
I added more garlic probably lol
Ayeh Manfre says
Hehe you can never have enough garlic 🙂 So happy your family loved it xxx
Angela says
Hello can I use an immulsion blender while it's in the broth?
Ayeh Manfre says
Yes you can if course 🙂 Just make sure to do this before adding the pastina xx
Naria says
Amazing, I made this tonight because I am sick with a cold. I ate two bowls and I think I found my new favorite sick food. I add3d a splash of turmeric for inflammation.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yum love that addition! Hope you feel better soon dear 🙂
Zoe says
This was so good! I made this today and even impressed my husband (he’s usually the cooker and I’m usually the cleaner as I’m usually a terrible cook!) so thank you for helping me achieve rock star status! This was easy and delicious.
Ayeh Manfre says
Hehe love this! So happy you both loved it Zoe xxx
Peggy Hogan says
How many servings does this make??
Ayeh Manfre says
It makes 4 🙂 It's noted just above the recipe xx
Jenn says
I had to use tiny pasta shells with a 5 min cooking time because I couldn't find the pastina BUT WOW me and my husband loved this!
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy to hear you both loved it Jenn! Any tiny pasta works great, even orzo/risoni is usually easier to find xx
Natalie says
This recipe will be a family staple forever! We all love it. So simple and easy to make and so yummy. My vegetable-hating 10 year old begs for it! Seriously perfect.
Ayeh Manfre says
This put the biggest smile on my face Natalie! So happy your family loves this recipe as much as mine xx
Josie says
This is an excellent quick and easy veggie soup which I have always made- using any kind of small soup pasta I have on hand. Sometimes will add a cubed potatoe or zucchini-might have to adjust the cooking time, but always turns out great, blended broth might vary- depending on which veggies you use
Ayeh Manfre says
Thrilled to hear you love it Josie! Love the idea of the extra veggies xx
Casey says
Made this with chicken broth, ditalini noodles and a little fresh grated ginger as that is what I had on hand. Loved it! My 2.5 year old gobbled it up! Bug hit for the the whole family.
Ayeh Manfre says
Aww love this message! So happy your little one loved it too 🙂
Tanya says
Absolutely delicious! My husband has been battling a bug the past two days and this was the perfect remedy.
I added an extra garlic clove then blended turmeric, chicken bouillon, and 1/2 cup of water with the veggie mix.
I did not add salt since the bullion has a good amount of sodium content.
I used tiny ring noodles (smaller than ditalini) since my store didn’t have Pastina.
We will be making this on a regular basis. Great way to get kids to eat their veggies too!
Ayeh Manfre says
Wonderful to hear Tanya, sounds delicious! So happy your family loved it and I hope your husband feels better xxx
Miranda Jordan says
Could I prep this all except the pastina, then add it all into a crock-pot...with pastina the next day? Would you think 20 minutes to cook the pastina through on high? I want to bring it for a pot luck
Ayeh Manfre says
You can definitely prep the broth and add in the pastina when ready to serve. The Pastina usually only needs about 5-7 minuets to cook depending on the shape and brand, so just double check the packaging 🙂
Sandi says
My Italian family always beat up an egg or two, added some cheese, and drizzled it into the soup just before serving. Sometimes added shredded cooked chicken.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh yes, adding an egg is very common too 🙂
Therese says
Sooooo delicious!
Ayeh Manfre says
My all time fav 🙂
Tabatha says
I'm going to make this tonight, i love this soup. I also add a bit of turmeric for the benefits and it still tastes amazing!!! Even my 2 year old loves it!!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yum yes love that addition 🙂
Janet C Burrell says
Great recipe. I could live on this soup. I checked out many pastina soup recipes a knew yours would be the best because the others did not use garlic.
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you loved it dear 🙂
Charlene Schlegel says
This is so easy and so flavorful! I have a sensitive tummy and this was so helpful.
Ayeh Manfre says
This makes me so happy 🙂
Lil says
Great, simple, delicious, soothing soup for the young and old! Even my picky 5 and 7 year olds liked it (a lot)! Thanks!
Ayeh Manfre says
You are so welcome! so glad everyone loved it xxx
Shannon says
LOVE this recipe! I’ve used Pastina and orzo when Pastina wasn’t available. I also add a can of white beans to the vegetables. I made this for my huge family while we were vacationing in snowy mountains and it was a big hit!
Ayeh Manfre says
Wow! It would have been so yummy enjoying in the snowy mountains 🙂 I've tried this before too with the beans and glad you like that too xxx
Susan says
I kept the pastina separate because otherwise it absorbs all the liquid from the soup. Good soup!!
Ayeh Manfre says
You can do this if you prefer especially if not eating it all the same day that it is cooked 🙂
Patricia Gialanella says
My family and I enjoyed this simple, robust, flavorful soup. It was delicious. Paired with a wonderful Italian bread... the best!
RITA ENDERSON says
Yes to the bay leaf! Just made this, keeping pasta separate. I did add a leek in addition to the onion and at the end added some cream. I have a lot left for the week in the fridge. Very velvety and soothing.
Ayeh Manfre says
Sounds amazing Rita! So happy you loved it x
Amal says
Truly a warm hug. This was so delicious, I’m adding it to my rotation! Comes together so quickly. I used chicken bone broth and add an extra carrot and celery or 2 and extra bay leaf and garlics.. was enjoyed by the entire family. Thank you Ayeh for this recipe it will be cherish by our family. Wishing you good health always.
Ayeh Manfre says
This is so lovely to hear! Thrilled you and your family loved it so much 🙂
Andee says
This soup is delicious, but I think I may have done something wrong. My soup was very thick. Is it supposed to be liquid or more like the consistency of a butternut squash type of soup? I usually cook any pasta that goes in my soup separately so it doesn't absorb all of the liquid, but I didn't in this case. Is that why it's so thick or do I just need to add more broth (it would be a lot!)
Ayeh Manfre says
So glad you loved the soup 🙂 The longer the pasta sits in the broth it will thicken as it absorbs more of the liquid so be sure not to overcook the pastina. You can add more water or broth, but you can also cook the pasta separately if it won't all be served the same day x
Leandra says
Perfect for tired sick moms and toddlers. Delicious, easy, and comforting. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Ayeh Manfre says
It works wonders, so happy you and your toddlers loved it 🙂 Hope you all feel better xxx
Kristen Caulder says
This looks delicious! I want to try it tonight but I'm curious if you've ever added chicken? I was thinking of adding some pulled rotisserie chicken after I blend the veggies. Thoughts?
Thank you!
Ayeh Manfre says
Yes you can totally add shredded chicken 🙂
Willow says
Delicious! Everyone's sick with the flu here so I made chicken stock overnight in my slow cooker and made this soup with it. I used acini de pepe. Goes down so nicely
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing to hear! Hope everyone feels better soon 🙂
Despo Baltoumas says
Dear Ayeh, This soup is amazing. I love the pastina. It is very filling. Just like getting a warm hug. Can't wait to make it again. Excellent.
Ayeh Manfre says
This makes me so happy to hear! Pastina really does feel like a warm hug right 🙂
Amber says
I made this using carton of chicken bone broth (for some protein), then when took the veggies out to blend, I put the orzo pastina in the broth to cook with the Parmesan ribs then when pasta was al dente - added the blended veggies in and a little parm mixed in. Then garnish with a squeeze of lemon, grated parm and salt & pepper. So good!!
Ayeh Manfre says
Sounds amazing Amber! So happy you loved it so much 🙂
MJ says
Super delicious! I used better than bullion instead of broth, and gluten free stelline, but no substitutes other than that. My 3 year old and 8 month old devoured it. Was super nice and easy on my poor strep-infected throat too. I definitely love this way more than chicken noodle soup and will be making it again next time I get sick!
Ayeh Manfre says
Such a lovely compliment that your little ones loved it too! Hope you feel better xxx
Jessica Bradley says
I did not have pastina but used fregola instead. It was still incredible and just what I needed on this rainy day.
Ayeh Manfre says
Oh delicious, I love using fregola too for its extra chewiness. So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Christie says
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Much better than I expected too! Yum yum yum.
Ayeh Manfre says
So great to hear!
Ike’s Mon says
Delicious! Spiced it up a little to suit our taste, but perfect as created. Thank you for posting.
Ayeh Manfre says
You are most welcome 🙂
Susan says
I am now officially addicted to this soup. Thank you for sharing.
Ayeh Manfre says
Hehe love this! You are most welcome 🙂