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5 from 8 votes

Pastina Soup

Cosy and comforting Italian Pastina Soup made with homemade chicken broth and tiny pasta stars. This easy soup recipe is the perfect way to beat those winter blues, made with wholesome ingredients and served with a cheesy parmesan crouton!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
If making homemade broth3 hours
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 - 6 servings
Calories: 286kcal
Author: Emily Wyper

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups pastina pasta (210g)
  • 6 cups chicken broth or stock (1.5 litres)

Homemade chicken broth

  • 1 cooked leftover chicken carcass skin and meat removed
  • 1 carrot , whole or cut in half
  • 1 celery , cut into 2 or 3
  • 1 onion , cut in half
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1-2 rosemary sprigs or other herbs of choice

Instructions

To Make Homemade Chicken Broth

  • Remove as much cooked chicken meat and skin from the carcass as possible. Add the chicken carcass and any other chicken bones to a large, deep pot and add the vegetables and herbs (you don’t need to peel any vegetables.
  • Fill the pot with water until the chicken is covered then cover and bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling uncover and reduce to a simmer. Skim off any scum that comes to the surface.
  • Simmer the stock (uncovered for 2-3 hours or longer (the longer you leave it the more concentrated the flavour will be but the less stock you’ll have as it will keep reducing.
  • Pass through a sieve or colander so you’re left with the homemade stock and discard the bones, vegetables and herbs.

To Make Pastina Soup

  • Bring 6 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
  • Add the pastina pasta and boil for 3-4 minutes or until al dente. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread or parmesan croutons.

Notes

  • Homemade chicken broth or stock will always be more nutritious and wholesome but you can use storebought just make sure to use the highest quality you can get your hands on. Ready made stock sold in containers/tubs/pouches tends to be much higher quality than a stock cube.
  • When following my recipe for homemade chicken broth make sure to use a cooked, leftover chicken.
  • You can use any type of pastina to make this soup it doesn't have to be star-shaped. Look for tiny shapes made for soups and stews.
  • Pasta soup doesn't store well because the pasta swells and turns mushy. Only cook enough pasta that you're going to eat straight away.
  • You can store chicken broth or stock in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for months.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 545mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2593IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg