Pastina, a bowl of comfort. – Pastene (2024)

Italy’s Comfort Food

The word “pastina” translates to “very small pasta” in Italian. It is not defined by one specific shape, it simply refers to the size of the noodle. While the dainty star-shaped pastina is a long-cherished and beloved version, there are many more pastinas with equally comforting qualities.

Pastina is an ingredient commonly found in Italian cookbooks and pantries; it’s a favorite pasta to serve children, especially when they are sick, so many Italians have fond childhood memories of it. The small size makes pastina a great base for soups, salads, and dishes that may otherwise use rice.

“Our brains are often drawn to the unique and unusual. “Miniatures—tiny objects—draw our attention because they are extraordinary; the mind knows that the object is highly unusual in size while being familiar in design,” saysCarla Marie Manly, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Sonoma County, California. ‘Thus, the mind finds the tiny object appealing—cute and adorable—as it evokes a sense of normalcy and oddity at the same time.'”

This Is Why Tiny Things Make Us So Happy
Welcome to Cuteness Psychology 101.

ByElizabeth Yuko

Recently one national pasta brand stopped making their star-shaped pastina and fans were upset because it was reflective of their cherished childhood memories. But fear not tiny pasta lovers, there is good news: Pastene has plenty of small pastas that will fill the pastina-sized hole in your heart. Like all of our 24 pasta cuts or shapes, our pastinas are made with the finest durum semolina wheat in Gragnano, Italy, the homeland of generations of master pasta-makers. Our pasta is slow-dried to maintain its natural glutens for an al dente texture in every bite.

Try our collection of pastina, which includes:

Pastina, a bowl of comfort. – Pastene (3)

Italian Ditali “baby penne”

And, make our traditional Italian Pastina using Farfalline…it’s the perfect meal anytime, anywhere, enjoy!

@pasteneusa

Fear not, you can make Pastina with Pastene Farfalline #pastina #italian #pasta #pastene #foodtok #fyp

♬ I Think I Like When It Rains – WILLIS

Try some recipes that use our pastina shapes including Pastene Farfalline Pastina, Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo, Stuffed Peppers, and Pasta e fa*gioli. Share your creations with us on social @pasteneUSA, we’d love to see them!

Pastina, a bowl of comfort. – Pastene (2024)

FAQs

What is so special about pastina? ›

Pastina is an ingredient commonly found in Italian cookbooks and pantries; it's a favorite pasta to serve children, especially when they are sick, so many Italians have fond childhood memories of it. The small size makes pastina a great base for soups, salads, and dishes that may otherwise use rice.

What does pastina mean in Italian? ›

Pastina ( lit. 'little pasta') is a variety of pasta consisting of tiny pieces, typically of a round (irregular) shape with a diameter of about 1.6 millimetres (1/16").

What is Pastene pasta? ›

Pastene's family of pasta includes long, short, and soup cuts as well as gluten-free and organic options. All Pastene pasta is made in Italy, the homeland of generations of master pasta-makers, using only the finest durum wheat semolina. Bucatini. (bu·​ca·​ti·​ni | bü·​kə·​tē·​nē)

What pasta is the same as pastina? ›

Acini di pepe: Acini di pepe is a small, round pasta that is about the same size as pastina. It is commonly used in soups, stews, and pasta salads.

Is pastina good for an upset stomach? ›

When the stomach bug is life, Pastina is your savior! My kids are barely eating anything this week but I've been pushing Pastina and it seems to be working! Here's how i make it for the babies — i know traditionally it's more of a soup but this consistency easier for toddlers so that's how we're rolling.

Is pastina high in carbs? ›

Ronzoni Pastina (0.33 cup) contains 42g total carbs, 40g net carbs, 1g fat, 7g protein, and 200 calories.

Does Barilla make pastina? ›

Barilla's pastina pasta is a favorite of young children due to the fun, miniature star shapes. Adults also love the flavor making it the perfect addition to soups and broths alike.

Are risotto and pastina the same? ›

Pastina is cooked directly in a sauce, becoming highly risotto-esque. However, despite the shared traits, there are fundamental differences that set the two apart, with qualities and drawbacks to each that chefs should keep in mind.

Is orzo a type of pastina? ›

Yes, orzo is a pastina pasta, which translates to "little pasta." Pastina pasta are typically thought of as pasta shapes for soups.

What is bride pasta? ›

Ziti is a very popular tube shaped pasta. Ziti gets its name from the word zita, which means bride. In Naples, Ziti is the classic pasta served at weddings as the zita/bride's pasta. Ziti goes well with fresh, light sauces like olive oil or a simple fresh tomato sauce.

What kind of pasta does Giada use? ›

Her pastas, which cost $10.50 per box, have all been made by regional producers in Italy and feature eight shapes, including bucatini, paccheri, manfredi lunghi, and spaghetti chitarra. Pasta is one of my favorite foods and I'm always trying (and ranking) new recipes.

Who owns Pastene? ›

Pastene was then and is now a leader of jarred, canned and packaged Italian produce in the northeast, and the company today is run by Chris and Mark Tosi, sons to Jerome, who continue the multi-generational running of the firm.

Why is pastina so good? ›

Since it's so small, you can go from a few ingredients to a warm bowl of pasta in under 15 minutes, making it a popular choice to cook for hungry (or worse, hangry) kids. For many Italian-Americans, pastina is also the comfort food they grew up eating since they were babies.

What is the closest thing to pastina? ›

Though not all are one-to-one swaps for pastina, all are extremely cute.
  • Acini di Pepe. This pasta shape, which translates to “grains of pepper,” adds a burst of springy, chewy texture to any dish. ...
  • Fregola Sarda. ...
  • Israeli Couscous. ...
  • Ditalini. ...
  • Orzo.
Jan 11, 2023

What is the shelf life of pastina? ›

Generally, dry pasta has a shelf life of two years, but you can typically push it to three.

Is pastina good when sick? ›

Like all versions of 'the soup for when you're sick', this Pastina is pure comfort, a hug in a bowl. I love that this soup has the nickname, 'Italian Penicillin'. Just like chicken noodle soup with matzo balls is 'Jewish Penicillin'. It is the soup that mums make to comfort their sick kids.

How many calories is a bowl of pastina? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200 Calories From Fat 10
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Sugars 1g
Protein 7g
11 more rows

What is the real name of pastina? ›

In fact, a ladybug could probably huck a piece of pastina up on its back and haul it home for dinner. Even though it goes by that name, a more accurate name is stellina. That's because pastina in Italian means “l*ttle pasta” and actually refers to a wide variety of pasta that is small. Orzo is pastina.

What is the difference between acini de pepe and pastina? ›

Is pastina the same as acini de pepe? These are essentially the same thing and can be interchanged in recipes without fail. Pastina is Italian for “tiny pasta” and can be thought of as a category for smaller pastas like acini de pepe, orzo, and those tiny pasta pieces you find in ABC soup (as examples).

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