Description
A comforting and creamy Pastina with Mushroom Leek Parmesan Broth recipe, featuring tender sautéed mushrooms and leeks simmered in a flavorful broth, enriched with Parmesan cheese and optional heavy cream for extra richness. Perfect for a quick 30-minute meal serving four, this dish combines simple ingredients to deliver a warm, savory pasta experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 1 cup pastina (or any small pasta)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button mushrooms work well)
- 1 leek, cleaned and thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a richer flavor)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and leeks, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the leeks have softened.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the flavor base of the broth.
- Simmer the broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer, then add the dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to season the broth.
- Cook the pastina: Stir in the pastina and let it cook in the simmering broth for 6-8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the savory flavors of the broth.
- Add cream (optional): For a richer, creamier soup, stir in the heavy cream at this point and mix well to combine.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and blended into the broth, creating a luscious sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the hot pastina into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this warm, comforting dish immediately.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth for a richer flavor if preferred.
- Heavy cream is optional; omit for a lighter dish.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on the broth used.
- Pastina can be substituted with any small pasta shape.
- Ensure the leeks are thoroughly cleaned to avoid grit in the dish.
