Easy Creamy Parmesan Pastina Recipe (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
May 04, 2023 • Updated Jan 24, 2024
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An easy, creamy, and delicious pastina recipe featuring vegan parmesan cheese, gluten-free stars pastina pasta, vegetable broth, and more! This simple dish is the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults alike!
What is Pastina?
Pastina is a type of small, traditional Italian pasta. The name “pastina” means “small dough” in Italian, and it refers to the miniature size of these little pasta shapes.
Italian pastina is frequently used in easy soup recipes, broths, and simple dishes and can come in different shapes, such as tiny star-shaped pasta, shells, or tiny tubes. Because it’s small, pastina cooks quickly, making it a popular choice for adding texture and substance to comforting soups and other dishes.
This versatile and comforting tiny little pasta is often served to kids (and picky eaters) or as the ultimate Italian comfort food for people of all ages. Today, we’re making a creamy, vegan pastina recipe that combines simple ingredients like vegan parmesan, vegetable broth, and small pasta for a super easy meal that’s ready in a flash!
What Makes This Recipe Great
I love classic Italian comfort food just like the next person, except most of the time, creamy, cheesy, ooey gooey dishes are not vegan or gluten-free. So I set out to make an easy Pastina Recipe that features delicious little stars, creamy vegan parmesan, and other ingredients for a simple bowl of pastina that hits the spot every time!
The best part of this Italian pastina recipe is that it’s super versatile and easy to switch up. Add some veggies or protein, garnish with various spices and toppings, spice it up with red pepper flakes, and more!
Make this delicious Italian comfort food with whatever variations you want, and enjoy! It’ll be one of your favorite comfort foods in no time!
Ingredient Notes
- Pastina: I used gluten-free star-shaped pasta for this recipe. If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to use your favorite brand and type of pasta or tiny stars. You can find pastina online at Amazon or in your local grocery store. Pick your favorite tiny pasta shape and enjoy!
- Vegetable broth
- White miso paste: This adds delicious creaminess and flavor!
- Vegan butter
- Garlic powder
- Vegan parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
Garnish Options
- Lemon zest
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red chili flakes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add vegetable broth to a medium or large pot and bring to a gentle boil on medium heat. Add the pastina and lower it to a simmer, cooking according to package directions. Pastina should be cooked through, and most of the liquid should be absorbed. You’re looking for a consistency close to risotto but slightly looser. You can also adjust the texture to your liking by adding more or less broth.
- Turn your burner to low heat, then toss in vegan butter, garlic powder, and vegan parmesan to the cooked pastina. Stir to combine, ensuring the butter and miso paste are completely melted down.
- Season your hot pasta with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste, and finish with extra parmesan and any other desired toppings.
Expert Tips
- Feel free to add veggies if you’d like. Cooked mushrooms, carrots, onions, or broccoli would go really well.
- If you want to add additional protein, cubed tofu will work well.
- Pastina is a great thing to keep on hand to use with your favorite comfort foods, pastina soup, and more. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for any time you’re craving a comforting meal!
Serving Tips
- Serve this pastina recipe warm with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste, and finish with extra parmesan and any other desired toppings.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover pastina in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over the stovetop, and use additional vegan butter to break up the clumps.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use acini di pepe instead of pastina in recipes. Both acini di pepe and pastina are small types of pasta with similar characteristics, so they can often be used interchangeably in dishes.
More Pasta Recipes
Vegan Tofu Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Vegan Lemon Pepper Pasta
10 Minute High Protein Mac & Cheese
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Creamy Parmesan Pastina Recipe (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
Ingredients
- 16 oz pastina gluten free
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 1-2 tbsp white miso paste
- 2-3 tbsp vegan butter salted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup vegan parmesan grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Optional, for garnish
- olive oil extra virgin, for finishing
- lemon zest to taste
- red chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- Add vegetable broth to a medium or large pot and bring to a boil. Add the pastina and lower to a simmer, cooking according to package directions. Pastina should be cooked through and most of the liquid should be absorbed. You’re looking for a consistency close to risotto, but a little bit looser. You can also adjust the texture to your liking by adding more or less broth.
- Lower the heat then toss in vegan butter, garlic powder and vegan parmesan. Stir to combine, ensuring the butter and miso paste are completely melted down.
- Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and finish with extra parmesan and any other desired toppings.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Feel free to add veggies if you’d like. Cooked mushrooms, carrots, onions, or broccoli would go really well.
- If you want to add additional protein, cubed tofu will work well.
Serving Tips
- Serve this pastina recipe warm with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste, and finish with extra parmesan and any other desired toppings.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover pastina in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over the stovetop, and use additional vegan butter to break up the clumps.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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