Description
Cheesy Pastina is a classic Italian comfort dish made with tiny pasta, butter, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Creamy, warm, and deeply satisfying, it’s a quick and easy meal perfect for cozy evenings or simple family dinners.
Ingredients
300 g (0.66 lb) pastina (tiny pasta)
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
1 egg
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pastina and cook according to package directions (usually 5–10 minutes) until al dente.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and whisk in about 1/4 cup of hot pasta water, a pinch of salt, and the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Drain the cooked pastina and return it to the pot over low heat.
- Add the butter in small pieces, stirring until melted and evenly coated.
- Pour in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring constantly for 1–2 minutes until creamy and the egg has softly cooked.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For a creamier version, substitute some of the pasta water with warm milk.
Add a pinch of black pepper, nutmeg, or chopped parsley for extra flavor.
Stir in peas, carrots, or cooked chicken for a heartier meal.
Best served fresh — leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk or water to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
