This pastina makes a bowl of tiny pasta stars enveloped in a cheesy, velvety butter sauce. It's so satisfying and has quickly become my new favorite comfort food!
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My Take On Pastina
Pastina has taken the internet by storm after going viral on TikTok. But that's not the only reason the world has caught on. It's absolutely delicious!
If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying a warm bowl of pastina, you have to try it with this recipe. It's so creamy, buttery, and delicious I guarantee you'll find yourself craving it throughout the week.
I'll be honest, this isn't a dish I typically gravitate to, but once I made this recipe, I couldn't get enough of it. The blend of hot pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and fluffy egg is so irresistible.
I can't stop making it, and I think you're going to love it too. I mean, with a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes and tastes this good, you can't go wrong!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to customize. If you're making this pastina recipe for your family, you might want to add in some extra flavor. Try adding your favorite cooked veggies or hearty meat to make this pastina the main event. Or easily make it vegetarian by substituting the chicken stock with vegetable broth.
Quick and easy. I always save this recipe for those busy weeknights because I can whip it up in seconds flat. It's the kind of recipe where once you make it, you know exactly what you're doing every time.
The convenience. Again, this recipe is super simple to make, and if you have pastina, I guarantee you have everything else you need to make it.
Ingredients
- Chicken broth- for cooking the pasta.
- Pastina- the star of this dish. I like to use the one from Barilla.
- Unsalted butter- to give it a delicious buttery flavor. I go with unsalted since I add a little extra salt to the dish.
- Milk- you can use any kind you want. I use whole milk for an extra rich and creamy consistency.
- Parmesan cheese- for that cheesy finish. Another great option is pecorino romano cheese.
- Egg- a secret ingredient that gives this pasta such an amazing texture.
- Salt and pepper- for added flavor.
How To Make Pastina
1. Cook pastina. Add the pastina and broth to a pot and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
2. Add the ingredients. While it is still warm, add the milk, parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper to the cooked pastina. Stir vigorously for 4-5 minutes while you continue cooking at a very low heat. You'll want to heat and stir until the mixture is very creamy.
3. Serve. Once it reaches that desired consistency, serve it warm, topped with a bit more cheese and pepper. I hope you enjoy it as much as me!
My Pro Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Make a chicken pastina soup. Cook the pasta, and add it to a broth base with your favorite vegetables and cooked chicken. Voila! You have a delicious soup.
- Add veggies. I love to chop up my favorite vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower very small or sometimes use a processor to keep this recipe light and creamy.
- Cook the noodles al dente if you prefer a more structured texture to your pasta with a little extra chew.
How I Recommend Storing This Recipe
In the fridge: Make sure to let any leftovers cool to room temperature. Then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for about 4 days.
In the freezer: You can also freeze any leftovers by placing the pasta in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating: My favorite way to reheat the leftovers is to put them back in a pot with a little milk over medium heat. I'll stir frequently until it's warm. For a quicker method, you can microwave it in 30-second increments stirring between each.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pastina?
Pastina is a small pasta in the shape of tiny pasta stars. It's a common thing cooked in Italian households and is delicious in things like this recipe.
What is the difference between orzo and pastina?
The biggest difference that distinguishes pastina from orzo is that even though orzo is considered a small pasta, pastina is still smaller. Orzo is also typically found in Mediterranean cuisine over Italian cuisine.
More Delicious Italian Recipes To Try Next
- Meatball Soup
- Breaded Italian Chicken
- Baked Tortellini
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
- Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Yield: 2 servings
Pastina Recipe
This pastina makes a bowl of tiny pasta stars enveloped in a cheesy, velvety butter sauce. It's so satisfying and has quickly become my new favorite comfort food!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pastina
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese or pecorino romano cheese
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add pastina and broth to a pot and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been dissolved.
- While it is still warm, add the milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper. Stir vigorously for 4-5 min while you continue cooking at very low heat. It should be creamy.
- Serve with a bit more cheese and pepper on top.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days or freezer or 3 months. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk in 20-second increments, stirring between each, till warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 389Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 159mgSodium: 1567mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 19g
