An easy, creamy, and delicious pastina recipe featuring vegan parmesan cheese, gluten-free stars pastina, 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 tiny pasta shapes. 

It is frequently used as an ingredient in soup, broth, and simple dishes and can come in various shapes, such as tiny stars, shells, or tiny tubes. Because it’s small, pastina cooks quickly, making it a popular choice for adding texture and substance to soups and other dishes.

This versatile and comforting little pasta is often served to kids or as 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 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 a 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 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!

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 shape of pastina. You can find pastina on Amazon or in grocery stores. 
• 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

1. Add vegetable broth to a medium or large pot and bring to a 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.
2. Turn your burner to low heat, then toss in vegan butter, garlic powder, and vegan parmesan. Stir to combine, ensuring the butter and miso paste are completely melted down. 
3. Season 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. 

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

More Pasta Recipes

Vegan Tofu Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta

Baked Feta Pasta

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!