Cozy, fast, and satisfying, this Pastina Pasta is a favorite Italian-American staple. It’s perfect for feeding a cold or illness or as a fast comfort food—for babies, toddlers, and adults. Serve it plain or add in some peas, up to you.
This recipe, along with buttered pasta, is what I think of when I think “toddler pasta” because it’s cozy, easy, and easy for the kids to eat. And the simple ingredients (and cheese) are often a hit with little kids. This is classic comfort food that I grew up eating and I often share it with my kids now as an easy dinner.
The ingredients are easy to keep on hand (it’s basically just pasta, broth, and Parmesan) and it’s SO fast to make. I actually love it just as much for myself as the kids do.
(You may also like my Tomato Pastina Soup, Extra-Veggie Baby Pasta and Pastina Soup as other easy options.)
Table of Contents
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Where to Find Pastina
With Ronzoni discontinuing this type of little star pasta, it’s become much harder to find. Barilla makes it and it is usually available in stores, so look for that in your stores. Or look for:
- Colavita little stars
- Target’s Good and Gather Stelline
- La Moderna Stars Pasta
- Estrellas
- Barilla Pastina
Or, swap in orzo or acini di pepe, which have a similar small shape. You may have more luck finding small shaped pasta in Mexican grocery stores or aisle of larger stores as La Moderna is a common brand that makes it.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this simple pasta recipe. It’s fairly versatile and fast, so you can adjust for allergies as needed, too.
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth): This adds all of the flavor to this pasta, but you can use whichever you prefer. You can also just use water as a lower sodium option too, or as an option if you don’t have broth on hand.
- Pastina pasta: Little star pasta is available in the pasta section of the supermarket, in Target, or online. If you can’t find it, you can also tiny pasta such as use acini di pepe, stelline, or orzo pasta.
- Parmesan cheese: I prefer grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and since it melts right into the recipe. (Or use Pecorino Romano which is a similar flavor.)
- Egg: Egg adds richness and some protein and it cooks quickly as it’s stirred into the hot pasta. You can omit it as needed to make this egg-free.
- Frozen peas (optional): Feel free to stir in frozen peas at the end of cooking to add a veggie.
- Black pepper (optional to taste): If you share this with the kids, you may enjoy your serving with some black pepper.
- You can also add butter at the end for richness and more creamy texture, salt as needed depending on the saltiness of your broth, Vegetable Broth made with onion, celery, garlic, and carrots.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is a look at the steps involved in making this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information and timing.
- Add the broth to a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer and add the pastina.
- Stir occasionally, until the pasta is soft and the liquid is almost absorbed.
- Turn off the heat. Add the Parmesan, egg, and black pepper if using. Stir quickly to melt the cheese and cook the egg into the pasta. Stir in the peas, if using.
- Serve topped in a dish or bowl with more grated Parmesan or freshly ground black pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pastina pasta and pastina soup are often considered “Italian penicillin” and are often prepared to help feed a person who is sick. The simple dish is comforting and nourishing.
Ronzoni discontinued their pastina a while back, causing a bit of a run on pastina of all brands. It is still widely available though from brands including Barilla, La Moderna, Good & Gather, Goya, and Colavita.
You can swap in orzo or acini di pepe, which have a similar small shape. You may have more luck finding small shaped pasta in Mexican grocery stores.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Sprinkle with water or broth when reheating to help it return to the desired consistency. It thickens as it cools so a little water can help loosen it up a bit.
Best Tips for Success
- Add peas at the end of cooking or serve it plain as you like.
- Skip the egg if you prefer or if needed to make this egg-free.
- I prefer to use reduced-sodium broth as it can otherwise wind up very salty since the pasta absorbs all of the broth. You can also use vegetable broth or start with water.
- Add cracked black pepper for yourself or even a little fresh lemon zest.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Easy Pastina Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 10 ounces pastina pasta
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- black pepper, lemon zest (optional to taste)
Instructions
- Add the broth to a large saucepan set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and add the pastina. Stir occasionally, until the pasta is soft and the liquid is almost absorbed, about 5-6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Add the Parmesan, egg, and black pepper if using. Stir quickly and continuously to melt the cheese and cook the egg into the pasta. (Stirring to break up the egg will help it blend right into the pasta so it shouldn't be noticeable, but it adds creaminess.)
- Stir in the peas, if using. (They will thaw in the warmth of the pasta.)
- Serve topped with more grated Parmesan or freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Sprinkle with water or broth when reheating to help it return to the desired consistency.
- Add peas or serve it plain as you like.
- Skip the egg if you prefer.
- I prefer to use reduced-sodium broth as it can otherwise wind up very salty since the pasta absorbs all of the broth.
- Add cracked black pepper for yourself or even a little fresh lemon zest.
Nutrition
This post was first published January 2023.
So yummy! & simple! Could this be frozen?
Sure!
So delicious and easy, thank you! I followed the instructions to the tee except for ever so slightly greater an amount of grated Parmesan. It was looking perfect until I added the peas in. The cheese then started coagulating in a couple of large globs instead. Any suggestions on how to prevent this? Still absolutely delicious despite the clumped up parmesan globs.
Delicious and easy recipe! Love the addition of the egg.
Delicious. I made this for my 15 month old and was pretty skeptical that he would eat it. He LOVED it and I loved it! Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes
I had never heard of this dish, and I was skeptical if my kids would eat it because I’ve made risotto, which is a similar texture in my opinion, and they disliked it…but they LOVED this! My 2 year old even asked for seconds! It was easy and tasty and I’m excited to have another thing the whole family will eat. Thank you!
I really liked this! I didn’t have pastina, so I used “La Moderna” star pasta and it worked well with this recipe. Also shredded some cauliflower and added extra cheese.
Delicious! I used tomato chicken bouillon and chopped tomatoes from the garden. I’ve made it several times and always use different variations. It’s always been yummy.
Any tips to sub the parmesan cheese out to make it dairy-free?
You can simply leave it out. Or, some people use nutritional yeast as a replacement.
Toddler loved it, husband loves it, everyone wins
Delicious! I added celery, onions and garlic to the chicken broth and once soft I blended, then boiled the pasta in it. It was a hit, even with my picky toddler.
Hi! Do you have any suggestions for something that might make it creamy and rich but that would be a replacement for egg due to allergy?
A little heavy cream would work?
So yummy! My toddler loooooved it, she’s a big fan of Mac and cheese with peas so this was a nice mini variation 😜. I also ate it with her with salmon on top. Thanks for always providing great recipes and ideas for families.
How much is a quart? The language didn’t chant when I used the measurement toggle and I don’t have a frame a reference for that size
It’s about 4 cups or 32 ounces
Really nice. Toddler liked it (on toast 🤷🏼♀️).
I added some white wine, lemon and pepper to mine after bedtime and had it with a tuna steak
Delicious! Think you could freeze it?
Sure, you just may need to add a little more broth when it’s thawed
Yummy! We didn’t have peas so I added carrots. My toddler loved it!
Would Israeli couscous work you think?
Sure!