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Italian Pastina Soup with Tiny Pasta and Soft Vegetables

A comforting Italian soup featuring tiny pasta and a blend of soft vegetables, perfect for chilly days.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the soup
  • 1 cup pastina or other tiny pasta Ensure it's small pasta shape
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 medium carrots, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth Ensure halal
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan Optional for topping, ensure halal
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gather all your ingredients, ensuring everything is washed and diced to create that perfect texture.
Cooking
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring it does not burn.
  3. Add the chicken broth and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to simmer.
  4. Stir in the pastina and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until it’s al dente.
  5. Add in the chopped baby spinach, butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir until the spinach is wilted and all ingredients are well combined.
  6. Spoon the soup into bowls and top with grated parmesan, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the warmth!

Notes

For substitutions, if you don’t have pastina, any small pasta shape, such as orzo or acini di pepe, will work just as well. Keep an eye on the pasta to avoid overcooking; it should be tender without becoming mushy. When adding salt, start with less and taste as you go, especially if your broth is already salted.