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Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

March 4, 2019 · 12 Comments

How to Make Italian Pastina

Italian· Meatless Recipes· Pasta Recipes

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Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up. 
Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up. 
collage photo of a bowl of italian pastina

Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up.

Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up. 

When I was a little girl and caught a cold, the only thing I can remember wanting to eat was Pastina. It's probably the simplest recipe will ever make, but for some reason it always made me feel warm inside.

A close up of Pastina

To this day, my kids crave the same thing when they're sick. We can go for months without making it all, but once the first sign of a cold hits, they are rummaging through the pantry to look for pastina to make.

In fact, when they were babies and just starting to eat solid foods, I'd combine creamed spinach with the pastina too. I remember their day care aides commenting on how good it smelled when they would heat up their lunches since I always made them from scratch.

Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up.

What is pastina?

Pastina is probably the smallest type of pasta you can buy and it looks like little stars. Maybe that's why my kids, nieces and nephews all wanted the same thing when they were sick because they were "cute" little pasta shapes.

Who knows, but no matter hold old they get, they still look for this comforting recipe when they're ill. I first posted this recipe back in 2012 and I can't count the number of times I've made Pastina since then.

However, I've never taken another picture of it until now when I was looking for some old meatless recipes to share for Ash Wednesday and this one popped up.

A bowl of pastina on a spoon.

Luckily, I had a box in my pantry, so I got up from my computer, made some Pastina and took a quick picture so I can share this recipe with you again.

How do you make Pastina?

To make this recipe, you'll need pastina pasta, chicken bouillon cube (I like using this better than chicken stock for this recipe), water and whipped butter.

Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up.

Start by bringing the water and bouillon cube to a boil in a small saucepan. Next, add the pasta and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated. Finally, add the butter (which makes it really creamy!) and serve.

I've never tried other pastina recipes, but this one has been a favorite of ours since I was a little girl. 

How much pasta per person?

This recipe makes 2 cups; which is enough for two people or one extra large serving per person. In general, figure on 1 part of dry pasta to 2 parts of liquid.

It takes about ten minutes to make from start to finish and provides hours worth of smiles. ~Enjoy!

 

Visit the recipe index to search for more recipes by category.

collage photo of a bowl of italian pastina

 

More Italian Pasta Recipes

  • Tortellini with Brown Butter, Garlic and Basil
  • Pasta Nonna
  • Pork Ragù over Pasta
  • Italian Sunday Dinner: How to Make Neapolitan Ragù

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A close up of Pastina

Pastina

Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Warm and comforting, this Italian Pastina is my family's go-to meal when you're feeling under the weather or need a quick pick me up.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Main Entree
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 c. Water
  • 1 cube Chicken Bouillon
  • 1 c. Pastina
  • 1 tbsp. Whipped Butter

Instructions
 

  • Bring the water and bouillon cube to a boil in a small saucepan. 
  • Next, add the pastina and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated; then add the butter. Serve hot. 

Nutrition

Calories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 15gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 7mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 4mg
Keyword pasta
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*Originally shared February 2012/Updated March 2019

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Patricia says

    May 22, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    I just made it for first time and it is perfect

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      May 22, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you, I'm so glad you like the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Nicole says

    January 20, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    We also add an egg for protein makes it really creamy

    Reply
  3. Heather Gillette says

    October 22, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    Love pastina! Eat it hot with butter and salt at least 1x a week. I've actually been cooking it in the microwave, a shortcut my sister showed me. LOVE IT!!!

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      October 23, 2021 at 9:49 am

      I've never tried it in the microwave!

      Reply
  4. Jean Calabrese says

    February 18, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    Comfort food of my childhood. Love it!!

    Reply
  5. Mama J says

    December 19, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    This is new to me and I am so excited to try it!

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      December 20, 2012 at 12:29 pm

      My kids just love it!

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 23, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    We always had this as kids and my children still eat it and love it as do I. It is a great easy to make item.

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      February 28, 2012 at 2:14 pm

      It is so easy and tasty. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  7. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    February 20, 2012 at 11:14 am

    Oh Carrie, you can definitely do this! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Carrie - ASassyRedhead.com says

    February 19, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    I have never heard of this. And where have I been? Because with this low level of expertise on making it, it should be right up my alley.

    Reply

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