Name: Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into large pieces; 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into large pieces; 2 celery ribs, sliced into large pieces; 1 parmesan rind (about 2-inches long); Kosher salt, to taste; 1 1/2 cup pastina (or any tiny pasta variety like alphabet, orzo, or acini di pepe); 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves, for garnish; Grated parmesan cheese, for serving

There’s something incredibly comforting about a gentle, warming bowl of soup, and this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s delicate, simple, and filled with goodness that feels like a hug in a bowl—perfect for any day you need a little extra comfort.

The image shows two white bowls with simple blue grid lines, each filled with an orange soup that has small round grains floating in it. The soup has a smooth texture with specks of green herbs sprinkled on top. One bowl is in the foreground with a spoon resting inside, scooping up some of the grainy soup, and a little white shredded garnish on the surface. The second bowl is partially visible in the background. The bowls sit on a white marbled surface, and a white-handled spoon is placed nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe has been one of my go-to go-to dishes when I want something fast, nourishing, and just downright soothing. The velvety broth with tender veggies paired with tiny pearls of pastina is easy to fall in love with, especially on cooler evenings.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of fresh veggies and pantry staples, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Speedy Comfort: Ready in about 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy nights when you want something wholesome fast.
Customizable: You can tweak the veggies or pasta shape to your liking, making it truly your own cozy soup.
Deliciously Nourishing: The parmesan rind adds a depth of flavor that makes the broth rich without heaviness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe plays a starring role, creating a balanced, flavorful dish. Choosing good-quality chicken broth and fresh vegetables really sets the foundation, while the parmesan rind works its magic in the background.

Flat lay of a small pile of tiny pastina pasta, a medium yellow onion sliced into large pieces, two fresh peeled carrots cut into large pieces, two celery ribs sliced into large pieces, a 2-inch parmesan rind chunk, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped fresh parsley leaves, and a small white ceramic bowl holding grated parmesan cheese, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Low-sodium chicken broth: Starting with low-sodium lets you control seasoning better and keeps the soup light.
Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth when simmered slowly with the broth.
Carrots: Their natural sweetness brightens the soup and provides lovely color.
Celery ribs: These contribute a subtle savory note that balances the sweet veggies.
Parmesan rind: This is the secret flavor booster – it enriches the broth with umami without heavy cream.
Kosher salt: Essential to bring all the flavors together — season thoughtfully after blending.
Pastina (or tiny pasta): The small pasta cooks quickly and gives you that cozy slurp without heaviness.
Parsley leaves: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish to the soup.
Grated parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top for an extra cheesy boost that melts delightfully into the hot soup.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe is. Sometimes, I add a handful of spinach or kale right at the end for a green boost. Other days, I swap pastina for orzo when that's what I have on hand. Feel free to play around and make it suit your mood!

Vegetarian version: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add a splash of soy sauce or miso for extra umami, which I’ve tried and it’s just as heartwarming.
Seasonal veggie swaps: Swap celery for fennel or add zucchini for a summer-inspired twist.
Protein boost: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked beans if you want something more filling.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe

A white bowl filled with bright orange soup that has small star-shaped pasta floating in it, topped with a sprinkle of green chopped herbs and light grated cheese. A spoon with a white handle and silver head rests inside the bowl, partially lifting the star pasta and soup. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a green cloth napkin nearby and a small white bowl of grated cheese to the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Simmer the flavorful broth

Start by combining the chicken broth, sliced onion, carrots, celery, parmesan rind, and a pinch of kosher salt in a large pot. Bring everything to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cover it. Let it work its magic for about 20 to 30 minutes until the veggies are tender and the broth is infused with all the aromas. This slow simmer is key—don’t rush it, or you’ll miss out on that rich, layered flavor.

Step 2: Puree the vegetables to a smooth finish

Once the veggies are soft, fish out the parmesan rind and discard it. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the cooked vegetables and transfer them to your food processor. Add a couple of ladles of the broth and blend until silky smooth. Pour this creamy vegetable puree back into your pot. This step gives the soup that lovely velvety texture that feels so comforting with every spoonful.

Step 3: Cook the pastina perfectly

Turn your heat back up to high and bring the pureed soup to a boil. Stir in the pastina and cook it for about 3 minutes, just until tender. Keep an eye on it because tiny pastina can go from perfectly cooked to mushy in a flash. Once it's done, remove the pot from heat. That simple timing really makes the difference between an enjoyable texture and a soggy mess.

Step 4: Taste and finish with fresh garnishes

Before serving, taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with a bit more salt if it feels mild. Ladle the soup into bowls, then sprinkle each one generously with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. This final touch adds brightness and a bit of indulgent cheesiness that makes every bite sing. Serve it piping hot—trust me, that warmth is everything.

Top Tip

From one soup lover to another, I've learned a few tricks that make this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe truly special every time I make it. These tips save me from common pitfalls and bring out the full potential of simple ingredients.

Don’t skip the parmesan rind: It’s the secret flavor bomb that fills the broth with savory richness without extra fat.
Watch the pasta cooking time: Pastina cooks very fast, so set a timer for about 3 minutes and test frequently to avoid mushiness.
Puree for creaminess: Blending the veggies instead of leaving them chunky gives the soup a smooth texture that feels luxurious yet light.
Season at the end: After pureeing and cooking pasta, taste and then adjust salt to prevent over-seasoning early on.

How to Serve Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish my bowls with freshly chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese. Sometimes, I’ll add a drizzle of good olive oil or a crack of freshly ground black pepper for a little extra flavor punch. These simple garnishes brighten the dish and invite you to dig in.

Side Dishes

This Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty bread—think a toasted baguette or rustic sourdough—to soak up all the good broth. A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette also complements the warmth perfectly, adding a fresh crunch to your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the soup in rustic ramekins or wide mugs to keep it casual yet charming. Adding a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a few drops of chili oil can jazz it up while still keeping the cozy vibe. It’s a simple way to elevate a humble soup without complicating things.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, which is rare in my house, store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. It keeps well for up to 3 days—just give it a good stir before reheating as the pasta tends to settle and thicken the broth.

Freezing

I generally don’t recommend freezing cozy pastina soup because the tiny pasta can lose its texture and become mushy after thawing. If you want to freeze, consider cooking the broth and pureed veggies separately without the pasta, then cook the pasta fresh when ready to eat. That way, texture stays intact.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. Microwave reheating works too, but be sure to stir halfway through so it heats evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Absolutely! Using vegetable broth makes this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe vegetarian-friendly. Just keep in mind that vegetable broth can vary in flavor intensity, so taste and adjust seasoning as you go for the best balance. Adding a pinch of nutritional yeast or miso paste can also boost umami.

What’s the best type of pasta to use?

Pastina is classic here because its tiny shape cooks quickly and feels delicate in soup. But you can easily swap in alphabet pasta, orzo, or even acini di pepe if you have them. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to avoid mushiness. Whatever tiny pasta you choose, aim for something small that warms your heart with every bite!

How do I make sure the soup isn’t too salty?

Using low-sodium chicken broth is your best friend here, letting you control seasoning. Also, wait until after the pasta is cooked and you have pureed the vegetables before tasting and adding salt. This way, you avoid over-salting early on, which is easy to do when broth evaporates during simmering.

Can I add other vegetables to this soup?

Definitely! This Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe is flexible. You can add peeled zucchini, chopped spinach, frozen peas, or even roasted squash. Just remember to adjust cooking time accordingly and add delicate greens right at the end so they don’t overcook. It’s a great way to use whatever produce you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

I really can’t recommend this Cozy Pastina Soup with Vegetables Recipe enough—it’s become one of those trusted, heartwarming dishes I turn to when I need something simple but satisfying. It’s easy to make, easy to love, and feels like a little bit of culinary kindness in every spoonful. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become your favorite cozy soup too.