Yes, orzo can be considered a type of pastina. Both are small pasta shapes often used in soups and salads.
Is orzo considered pastina?
Easy Italian Chicken Pastina Soup is made with homemade chicken broth and tiny pasta stars. Just one bite of this cozy soup that warms the soul will bring you right back to nonna’s kitchen. A rich chicken broth made chicken wings, carrots, onions, and celery. This comforting soup is ready in an hour.
View More
Learn More
Servings
6
Type
Italian Soup
Cook Time
1 hour
– 2 to 3 quarts water (about 8 cups water, or as needed) – 3 ½ pounds chicken wings chopped at the joints – 1 small yellow onion peeled and left whole – 4 medium carrots peeled and cut in half – 4 medium celery stalks cleaned and cut in half – 1 teaspoon salt – ½ teaspoon ground pepper – 2 bay leaves – fresh parsley – fresh dill – 1½ cups pastina pasta
Ingredients
Cook time: 1 hr
You can make the broth even a couple days ahead of time. Or even earlier in the day, put the broth together. When you’re ready to serve, the pastina cooks up in just minutes (less than 10 minutes). Heat up the soup and add in the pastina. You could serve the soup with or without chicken. My kids used to love it without the chicken and with the melted soft cheese (like I was talking about above).
The closest to pastina in terms of size and usage in recipes would be tiny pasta shapes like acini di pepe (small beads), stelline (tiny stars), and orzo (rice-shaped pasta), among others.
Yes, you can use rice instead of pastina, especially in soups and broths. While the texture and flavor will differ slightly—rice being distinct from pasta—the substitution works well in many recipes, offering a gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
View More
sign up TO MY SUBSTACK
Swipe up for the full recipe