Description
This comforting Italian pastina soup features tiny star-shaped pasta in a savory broth, making it a crowd-pleasing, easy snack for Halloween parties or cozy nights in. Adaptable for various diets, it’s quick to prepare and loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 1 cup water
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 3/4 cup pastina pasta (star-shaped or any tiny pasta)
- 1 parmesan rind (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for serving)
- Fun Halloween-themed croutons (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Peel and dice the carrot, chop the onion and celery, and mince the garlic. (Prep ahead if desired.)
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and water. Stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add parmesan rind (if using), bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Remove parmesan rind. (Optional: Blend soup with an immersion blender for a smooth texture.)
- Add pastina pasta and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender (5-7 minutes).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Optional: Add a pinch of Italian seasoning or toss in spinach and let wilt for 1 minute.)
- Ladle soup into bowls. Top with freshly grated parmesan, chopped parsley, and Halloween croutons or pasta shapes. Serve hot.
Notes
For vegetarian, use vegetable broth and skip parmesan rind. For gluten-free, use gluten-free tiny pasta. Add spinach for extra nutrition. Soup thickens as it sits; add more broth when reheating. Double recipe for parties, but adjust salt to taste. Top with fun Halloween shapes for festive flair.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: pastina soup, Italian soup, Halloween snack, party soup, kid-friendly soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, vegetarian option, gluten-free option