Homemade Italian Pastina Soup
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Cuisine
Italian
Servings
6
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
150 minutes
Calories
350
Warm up with this comforting Homemade Italian Pastina Soup, featuring tender chicken and tiny pasta in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a chilly day, this soup combines wholesome ingredients like vegetables and aromatic garlic, creating a rich and nourishing dish. Ideal for sharing, this hearty soup is sure to bring smiles to your table. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of Italian charm!
Ingredients
- 1 (3 to 4 lb) whole chicken, neck and insides removed
- 10 to 12 cups water
- 3 stalks celery, divided
- 2 white or yellow onions, peeled, divided
- 3 large carrots, peeled, divided
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste, divided
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium chicken base (such as Better than Bouillon®)
- 1 cup pastina or other tiny pasta, such as stars
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, or to taste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste (optional)
Directions
- In a large pot, combine the whole chicken and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and skim any foam that rises to the surface. Chop 1 stalk of celery, 1 onion, and 1 carrot, then add to the pot along with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Cover and let simmer for about 1.5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool. Strain the broth and discard the solids.
- In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Chop the remaining celery, onions, and carrots, and add them to the pot. Cook until tender.
- Add the strained broth back to the pot along with the chicken base and the pasta. Cook according to pasta package instructions.
- Once the pasta is al dente, shred the cooled chicken and add back to the soup. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Serve warm, garnished with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
