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Creamy Pastina Recipe

There’s something magical about a bowl of **creamy pastina**—it’s warm, comforting, and incredibly simple to make. This tiny star-shaped pasta, often known as **Italian comfort food**, is cooked until tender, then blended with butter, milk, and Parmesan to create a **lusciously creamy texture**.
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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • - 1 cup pastina or any tiny pasta like acini di pepe
  • - 2 cups water or broth
  • - 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • - 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • - 1 large egg beaten (optional for extra creaminess)
  • - Fresh black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • - Medium saucepan
  • - Whisk or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. #### **Step 1: Cook the Pastina**
  2. In a **medium saucepan**, bring **water or broth** to a boil.
  3. Add **pastina and salt**, stirring occasionally. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, about **3-4 minutes**.
  4. #### **Step 2: Make It Creamy**
  5. Lower the heat and stir in **milk and butter**, letting it simmer gently until thickened.
  6. If using an egg, remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the **beaten egg**, mixing vigorously so it incorporates smoothly without scrambling.
  7. #### **Step 3: Finish & Serve**
  8. Stir in **Parmesan cheese** and mix until fully melted.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding **black pepper or extra cheese** if desired.
  10. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.