Description
A cozy and nourishing Italian-inspired soup made with tender vegetables, pastina, and a bright touch of lemon. Smooth, comforting, and perfect for any day you need a warm, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
3 Tbsp olive oil
3 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 yellow onion, quartered
5 cloves garlic, peeled
3 ribs celery, halved
1 tsp salt
black pepper
parmesan rind, optional
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/4 cup pastina, or other small pasta shape
1 lemon, more as desired
freshly grated parmesan (for serving)
drizzle of olive oil, optional (for serving)
chopped parsley, optional (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, celery, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to lightly brown.
- Add parmesan rind (if using) and broth. Cover and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25–30 minutes until vegetables are very soft.
- Remove the parmesan rind. Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or carefully transfer to a blender and return to the pot.
- Add pastina and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally. (For storage, cook pasta separately and add when serving.)
- Turn off heat and stir in the juice of one lemon. Taste and adjust seasoning or add more lemon juice if desired. Add extra broth if the soup is too thick.
- Ladle into bowls and top with grated parmesan, black pepper, olive oil, and parsley as desired.
Notes
Cook pasta separately if planning to store leftovers to prevent it from absorbing too much liquid.
Use vegetable broth and omit parmesan rind for a vegetarian version.
Add shredded chicken, turkey, or white beans for extra protein.
Try different small pasta shapes like orzo or ditalini.
Add spinach or kale at the end for extra greens.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; add broth when reheating if thickened.
Freeze soup base without pasta for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
