Ingredients
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup pastina (tiny pasta)
1 medium carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Optional: grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
Optional: fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice, for brightness
Instructions
Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Step 2: Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and bring it to a boil.
Step 4: Stir in the dried thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Once the broth is boiling, add the pastina to the pot. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 5-7 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
Step 6: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a creamier texture, you can stir in a splash of cream or milk at this stage.
Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with optional grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, or a squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness. Serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, ensure you use vegetable broth. Feel free to add cooked shredded chicken or a whisked egg for extra protein. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Pastina soup, Italian soup, comfort food, easy soup, kid-friendly soup, tiny pasta, vegetable soup
