Comforting Pastina with Egg (Printable version)

Warm, creamy Italian dish with tiny pasta and silky egg for a comforting meal.

# List of ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - ¾ cup pastina (small star-shaped pasta or other tiny pasta)
02 - 4 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt

→ Dairy

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

→ Egg

06 - 1 large egg

→ Optional Garnishes

07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
08 - Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add kosher salt and pastina. Stir and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until pastina is tender but not mushy.
02 - Lower the heat to low. Leave the pastina in the pot with a bit of liquid remaining; do not drain.
03 - Stir in butter and grated Parmesan until fully melted and creamy.
04 - Beat the egg in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle the beaten egg into the hot pastina while stirring constantly to create silky ribbons and gently cook the egg.
05 - Remove from heat. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired. Serve immediately, topped with additional Parmesan and parsley if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just 15 minutes using ingredients you probably already have tucked away in your pantry.
  • The silky egg ribbons stirred into tender pasta create a texture that soothes you from the inside out, perfect for those days when you need a little kitchen hug.
02 -
  • Don't drain the pasta. I made that mistake once and ended up with dry, clumpy stars instead of the creamy bowl I was craving. That starchy cooking water is what makes this dish so luscious.
  • Add the egg off the heat or on very low heat while stirring constantly. If your burner is too hot, you'll end up with scrambled eggs mixed into pasta instead of that smooth, velvety texture.
03 -
  • Use a wooden spoon to stir. It's gentler on the delicate pasta and helps you feel the texture as the dish comes together.
  • Warm your serving bowls with hot water before plating. It keeps the pastina at the perfect temperature for those first few cozy spoonfuls.

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