Creamy Pastina Recipe (2024)

While Pastina is technically the type of pasta used for this easy and fast comfort food, it has also become the name. Made by mommas and nonas all over Italy, it is akin to chicken soup or mac and cheese, sometimes called Italian penicillin or Italian chicken noodle soup, even though there is no actual chicken.

Creamy Pastina Recipe (1)

A pastina recipe is a simple blend of small, star-shaped pasta simmered in chicken broth and then mixed with butter and cheese, it comes together in less than 5 minutes and is the ultimate bowl of comfort with endless variations.

Some folks many theirs more like a carbonara with raw egg, but I find this to easier and just as tasty.

What's In This Article

What is Pastina?

Pastina is also commonly seen in soup recipes because of the small, quick cooking noodles. They are fun little stars, although so small, sometimes it is hard to see the shape! Many think it is the smallest shape of pasta, but couscous actually is tinier.

But it is also used when kids are little because the shape is so small, it doesn’t present safety risks. This recipe can be used with any similar tiny pasta shape like acini de pepe (acini di pepe), couscous, israeli couscous (slightly larger), ditalini or orzo. Cooking times will vary based on shape, but not more than 2-3 minutes.

In the US, it is most commonly seen in comforting soup, but anyone with an Italian mother will have had it growing up as a creamy dish of yummy.

Creamy Pastina Recipe (2)
Creamy Pastina Recipe (3)

What You Need to Make Pastina

These simple ingredients are likely already in your home.

  • Low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth- You can use just water, but chicken stock gives this dish a little more flavor, body and nutritional value. some folk have even used bone broth. I like low-sodium so I can control the saltiness better. The hard cheese will likely also have salt, so taste test it before adding.
  • Pastina pasta– Or similiar quick cooking small pasta shape. We used Ronzoni pastina– I like the taste and texture the best. Barilla pastina is also great, but harder to find.
  • Unsalted Butter– If using salted, omit the additional salt.
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese- Or another hard cheese like pecorino romano. Use a freshly grated cheese and try for the smallest grate, it will melt easier.
  • Salt & Pepper– Taste test before seasoning. Coarse kosher salt is my pick because it dissolves fast and it the least salty. Black pepper is the most traditional. You’ll only need a little bit.
Creamy Pastina Recipe (4)

How to Make Pastina Pasta

Making this simple dish is easy! So easy the kids can help.

  1. Boil. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a gentle boil.
  2. Make Pasta. Stir in the pastina and simmer for an additional 2 minutes before removing from the heat. Stir after adding to prevent clumps. It will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat. It’s enough liquid to flood the small-shaped pasta, but also make a creamy texture sauce.
  3. Add Cheese and Butter. Immediately add the butter and cheese to the cooked pastina, stirring until combined. Add the salt and pepper, if desired. I highly suggest taste testing before doing so.
  4. Enjoy. Serve while hot. If it sits for long, it will start to get sticky, just add a splash of broth, milk or water or even olive oil to loosen it up again.
Creamy Pastina Recipe (5)
Creamy Pastina Recipe (6)

Texture Preferences

Think of this is how southerners like their grits. Some like them creamy and others al dente. Pastina is sort of the same way. In fact, I like mine a little sticky! The creaminess comes from the cheese, of course, but also from stirring the pasta, much like when making risotto.

Use more or less chicken broth or even a splash of milk or achieve the consistency you are chasing.

Creamy Pastina Recipe (7)

Variations

There are so many things you can add to this dish to elevate it as long as you have the basics in place.

  • Frozen peas
  • Sundried tomatoes
  • Garlic
  • Onion or shallot
  • Garlic powder
  • Chives
  • Fresh herbs or dried herbs
  • Pine nuts (pinollas)
  • Cream or milk
  • Onion powder
Creamy Pastina Recipe (8)
Creamy Pastina Recipe (9)

Storage and Leftovers

How to Store Leftover Pastina

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish.

How to Reheat Pastina

The tiny stars will likely clump together while chilled. To revive it, add 1-2 tablespoons of broth, milk or cream while reheating and stir well. Thi is also a dish that carries well to school in a Thermos.

Creamy Pastina Recipe (10)

More Pasta Recipes

We love an pasta dish around here, like our creamy linguine that has been rated a top pasta recipe by many!

  • Shrimp Scampi Pasta
  • Baked Mostaccioli
  • Clam Pasta
  • Lemon Couscous
  • Shrimp Alfredo
  • Peas with Pasta
  • Smoked Salmon Pasta
  • Toasted Couscous

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This Cajun Shrimp Alfredo features shrimp and andouille sausage, and comes together in 30 minutes or less. The perfect spicy comfort food.

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Stuffed Shells with Ricotta

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Creamy Pastina Recipe

4.37 from 19 votes

This quick and easy pastina recipe uses butter, cheese and broth for a quick, simple and comforting meal. Perfect for little kids and adults!

Prep Time: 1 minute min

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 6 minutes mins

Servings: 2

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups pastina pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese , freshly grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a low boil.

  • Stir in the pastina and simmer for an additional 2 minutes before removing from the heat. Stir after adding to prevent clumps.

  • Immediately add the butter and cheese, stirring until combined. Add the salt and pepper, if desired.

  • Serve while hot.

  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 453 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 25 g, Fat: 38 g, Saturated Fat: 23 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 94 mg, Sodium: 1201 mg, Potassium: 357 mg, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 1090 IU, Calcium: 613 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 453

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: italian pastina, pastina pasta, pastina recipe

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

Creamy Pastina Recipe (15)
Creamy Pastina Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does pastina make me feel better? ›

Pastina's warm broth soothes the throat and hydrates the fevered body; the garlic is believed to support immunity.

What is so special about pastina? ›

Pastina is tiny so it tends to cook quicker than other kinds of pasta. It may cook in as few as five minutes, depending on the type of pastina you're using.

Can you still buy pastina? ›

We searched extensively for an alternative solution but were unable to identify a viable option to make Pastina in the same beloved small shape, size and standards you have come to expect from Ronzoni. As a result, we had to make the difficult decision to discontinue this product.”

Did Barilla discontinue pastina? ›

One small relief: Though it appears the humble pastina is the latest victim in an increasingly tenuous supply chain, supermarket chain Barilla does seem like it will continue to make the iconic shape. So rest easy, my fellow star-eaters—pastina will live on, even if it might be harder to find than before.

What does pasta do to your stomach? ›

Gluten intolerance: Pasta is typically made from wheat flour, which contains gluten. Gluten is a protein that some people may be intolerant to, causing digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Overeating: Eating too much pasta at once can cause the stomach to feel bloated and heavy.

What does pasta do to your gut? ›

Is pasta good for gut health? A diet high in refined carbohydrates is generally not good for your gut health, since being on a high-refined carbohydrate diet can reduce the presence of good bacteria in your gut. This can result in digestion issues.

What does pastina mean in Italian? ›

Pastina ( lit. 'little pasta') is a variety of pasta consisting of tiny pieces, typically of a round (irregular) shape with a diameter of about 1.6 millimetres (1/16").

Do they eat pastina in Italy? ›

Italy's Comfort Food

Pastina is an ingredient commonly found in Italian cookbooks and pantries; it's a favorite pasta to serve children, especially when they are sick, so many Italians have fond childhood memories of it.

What is closest to pastina? ›

What Type of Pasta is Similar to Pastina?
  • Orzo: Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped like grains of rice, but slightly larger than pastina. ...
  • Acini di pepe: Acini di pepe is a small, round pasta that is about the same size as pastina. ...
  • Israeli couscous: Israeli couscous is a type of pasta that is shaped like small balls.
Feb 24, 2023

Does Prince Spaghetti make pastina? ›

Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Prince Pasta Pastina 12-Ounce Packages (Pack of 15)

What is Barilla pastina? ›

Barilla® Pastina is crafted with the highest quality Non-GMO durum wheat semolina for a perfect "al dente" texture and delicious flavor. Tiny star-shaped pasta is perfect for your little one or for use in many soup recipes.

Are pastina and acini di pepe the same? ›

Acini di pepe then translates into "seeds of a pepper". They were and are known as a symbol of fertility, which is why they are used in Italian wedding soup. They are also sometimes referred to as pastina (Italian for "tiny dough"); however, some pasta makers distinguish pastina as smaller than acini di pepe.

Does Barilla have pastina? ›

Grown-ups love the deliciously nutty flavor of Barilla Pastina, too, especially in soups and simple broths.

What pasta is better than Barilla? ›

You might even find yourself taking out your phone to Google reviews of two familiar Italian imports, Barilla and De Cecco, much to the chagrin of your fellow shoppers. Instead of hemming and hawing, make the following mental note: While both companies use pure semolina flour, De Cecco is technically higher quality.

Why is there no Barilla pasta in stores? ›

Earlier this year, Barilla acknowledged that their bucatini pasta, a long pasta with a hole in the middle, was in short supply due to production delays. The company explained that their pasta will eventually make its way back on grocery store shelves, but there is no timeline yet.

Is pastina good for when you're sick? ›

Kids from all regions of Italy have eaten this growing up, making it one of the most nostalgic dishes. It's known to soothe all illnesses which is why it has a nickname of Italian medicine or Italian penicillin.

Why does pasta make you happy? ›

Pasta is also a great source of B vitamins, which are known to play a role in regulating mood and reducing stress. In fact, studies have shown that people who have a diet high in B vitamins are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

Does pasta make you feel better when sick? ›

Feeling queasy makes all foods sound unappealing, but the right ones can ease symptoms by calming stomach acids. For example, bread, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour may settle your stomach. 1 Refined white rice is low-fiber, bland, and starchy, making it easy on the stomach.

Why does pasta make me happy? ›

Pasta contains tryptophan, an amino acid that turns into serotonin, the so-called hormone of happiness,” said Mauro Defendente Febbrari, an expert in metabolic diseases. “That is why eating pasta gives you a feeling of wellbeing and pleasure.”

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