Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (2024)

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This simple recipe for pastina with egg and cheese, otherwise known as comfort food, will make everything feel a little better! Especially when eaten out of a Peter Rabbit bowl.

Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (1)

Why I love this recipe

I love the general category of comfort food.

As in poached eggs on buttered toast. Cream of Wheat. Scrambled eggs with little dollops of ricotta cheese.

Sometimes a warm bowl of comfort foodis the only thing that will do when you are feeling blue, or tired, or overwhelmed by the busy-ness of it all.

Or maybe you just want to be 5 years old again, for a few minutes. Anyway, I have my little repertoire of meals that fall into this category, and I was delighted to remember this one in this book I just finished reading.

The book is called I Loved, I Lost, I Ate Spaghettiby Guilia Melucci. For all of you who read Eat Pray Loveit is basically the same type of book, only this time the eatand the love parts are combined.

And scattered throughout this book are Guila’s various recipes for this that and the other thing, mainly Italian dishes.

There are a whole bunch I want to try at some point, but this one I knew I wanted to make right away. It had been that kind of week!

What is pastina?

Pastina is the tiniest pasta there is – it is little tiny dots of pasta that cook up quickly, and because of its tiny size it tends to be a little softer than most pasta.

Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (2)

Perfect with butter…and even better with the other ingredients in this recipe!

Ingredients you need

The basic components are pretty simple: pastina, egg, butter, cheese, salt and pepper. It cooks up in about 5 minutes start to finish, and turns into a creamy, slightly cheesy concoction that needs to be eaten with a spoon.

Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (3)
  • Pastina: And if you can’t find pastina, go for the tiniest pasta you can find. Little stars or even orzo.
  • Egg: Any size egg will do.
  • Butter: I like salted butter for this recipe, but unsalted will work too!
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated if you can!

How to make this easy pastina recipe

(Scroll down for the handy complete printable recipe with nutrition info!)

STEP 1: Bring one cup of water to boil in small saucepan.

STEP 2: Add pastina and salt and cook until most of the water is absorbed, 3-4 minutes or whatever the instructions on your box suggest.

STEP 3: Turn off heat and stir in egg, letting it cook in the hot pasta.

STEP 4: Add a little butter, a little grated Parmesan cheese and a little salt and pepper. Eat slowly out of your favorite bowl with your favorite spoon.

Comfort food pastina FAQs

Where can I find pastina?

Pastina can be a tricky thing to track down! First check your grocery store in the pasta aisle. If you can’t find it there, you can order a good-sized supply of pastina here. And all my friends and loved ones know that I go through it so fast that whenever they see it, they pick me up a box…or six!

Can I swap out the Parmesan for a different kind of cheese?

You can use whatever kind of cheese makes you feel the most comforted! Just make sure it is a melty kind (like American or finely shredded cheddar) that will mix up into your pastina.

Have a question that I didn’t cover?

Pop your question in the comments section below and I will get back to you pronto!

I ladled mine into my Peter Rabbit bowl, settled into my favorite chair, and immediately felt much better.

Other comfort food recipes we love!

Ricotta Scrambled Eggs

Take your breakfast to a whole new level with this simple recipe for soft ricotta scrambled eggs. It also makes a great comfort food supper!

Ricotta Scrambled Eggs

Take your breakfast to a whole new level with this simple recipe for soft ricotta scrambled eggs. It also makes a great comfort food supper!

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Is there anything more wonderful than perfect chicken noodle soup? Here’s that recipe for the best quick and easy chicken noodle soup you’ve been craving!

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Is there anything more wonderful than perfect chicken noodle soup? Here’s that recipe for the best quick and easy chicken noodle soup you’ve been craving!

The Best Rice Pudding

This recipe for the best rice pudding cooks up into a sweet and creamy treat that is one of the best comfort food desserts in the world!

The Best Rice Pudding

This recipe for the best rice pudding cooks up into a sweet and creamy treat that is one of the best comfort food desserts in the world!

So if you are looking for a good book to read give I Loved, I Lost, I Ate Spaghettia try…and the next time you need a little pick-me-up, cook up some of this pastina. Preferably served in a Peter Rabbit bowl.

Could you leave us a review?

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.

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Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food

Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (10)

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This simple recipe for pastina with egg and cheese, otherwise known as comfort food, will make everything feel a little better!

  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/4 cup pastina
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
  • Fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring one cup of water to boil in small saucepan.
  2. Add pastina and salt and cook until most of the water is absorbed, 3-4 minutes or whatever the instructions on your box suggest.
  3. Turn off heat and stir in egg, letting it cook in the hot pasta.
  4. Add butter, cheese and pepper. Eat slowly out of your favorite bowl with your favorite spoon.
  5. Feel much better.

Notes

Pastina: These teeny dots of pasta are always my favorite choice for this comfort food recipe, but if you can’t find pastina, any small pasta (stars, orzo, etc) will do in a pinch.

Egg: You will be able to see it, but the egg really will cook in the hot pasta – stir it around until you see it forming little bits of scrambled egg.

Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

Why does pastina make me feel better? ›

Warmth: Consuming warm foods like pastina can soothe the throat and warm the body, providing a comforting sensation that can help you relax and feel better. Easy Italian Chicken Pastina Soup is made with homemade chicken broth and tiny pasta stars.

Is pastina good for you? ›

If you have not yet tried Pastina, you are missing out on the ultimate Italian comfort food. This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious, satisfying, and comforting.

What is another name for pastina pasta? ›

Since the term "pastina" encompasses all small shapes of pasta, it comes in many shapes and goes by many names. You may see round pastina called "acini di pepe" (pepper seeds in Italian), or star-shaped pastina called "stelline" (meaning little stars in Italian).

Is pasta a comfort food? ›

Comfort to me is synonymous with a bowl of a saucy pasta. While these days bolognese is preferred, it doesn't need to be one that's labored over for hours. I would equally love a dish of noodles with a simple spoonful of jarred Rao's.

Why do I feel bad after eating pasta? ›

Food intolerance or sensitivity: Some people may be intolerant or sensitive to certain ingredients in spaghetti, such as gluten (found in wheat-based pasta) or dairy (found in cheese-based sauces).

Is pastina good for a sore throat? ›

Pastina's warm broth soothes the throat and hydrates the fevered body; the garlic is believed to support immunity.

Is pastina high in carbs? ›

Ronzoni Pastina (0.33 cup) contains 42g total carbs, 40g net carbs, 1g fat, 7g protein, and 200 calories.

What country is pastina from? ›

If you've spent any time on social media at all, you've probably come across the ooey gooey Italian comfort food, pastina. This traditional Italian dish has been popular wayyyyy before the internet, but thanks to social media it's even more trendy.

Is pastina good for when you're sick? ›

Kids from all regions of Italy have eaten this growing up, making it one of the most nostalgic dishes. It's known to soothe all illnesses which is why it has a nickname of Italian medicine or Italian penicillin.

What is the closest thing to pastina? ›

Though not all are one-to-one swaps for pastina, all are extremely cute.
  • Acini di Pepe. This pasta shape, which translates to “grains of pepper,” adds a burst of springy, chewy texture to any dish. ...
  • Fregola Sarda. ...
  • Israeli Couscous. ...
  • Ditalini. ...
  • Orzo.
Jan 11, 2023

Do they eat pastina in Italy? ›

Pastina is used in many different ways in Italian cuisine, including as an ingredient of soup, desserts, infant food and also, alone, as a distinct and unique pasta dish.

What does pastina mean in Italian? ›

noun. [ feminine ] /pas'tina/ (pasta) small pasta.

What is known as comfort food? ›

Comfort food is food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value to someone and may be characterized by its high caloric nature associated with childhood or home cooking. The nostalgia may be specific to an individual or it may apply to a specific culture.

Is cheese a comfort food? ›

Topping the list of most comforting foods: Grilled cheese. Does that come as any surprise? Sometimes nothing can soothe the soul quite like melted cheese sandwiched between two slices of crusty bread.

Does pasta make you feel better when sick? ›

Feeling queasy makes all foods sound unappealing, but the right ones can ease symptoms by calming stomach acids. For example, bread, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour may settle your stomach. 1 Refined white rice is low-fiber, bland, and starchy, making it easy on the stomach.

Why does pasta give you energy? ›

Pasta is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, which provide a slow release of energy. Unlike simple sugars that offer a quick, yet fleeting boost of energy, pasta helps sustain energy. LOW SODIUM & CHOLESTEROL-FREE: Pasta is very low in sodium and cholesterol-free.

Why is pastina soup good for you? ›

The nickname "Italian penicillin" stems from the belief that pastina can help one feel better when sick, much like how penicillin is seen as a cure-all antibiotic. The warm broth is soothing and can help with hydration, while the pasta provides a gentle and easily digestible source of energy.

How does pasta affect your mood? ›

Pasta can potentially boost serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known to regulate mood and promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Carbohydrates, including pasta, help increase serotonin levels which may indirectly contribute to feeling happier.

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