Description
A comforting and creamy Pastina with Mushroom Leek Parmesan Broth made by sautéing mushrooms and leeks, simmering in flavorful vegetable broth, and finished with Parmesan cheese and optional cream for richness. This simple yet sophisticated soup is perfect for a warm and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button mushrooms)
- 1 leek, cleaned and thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for richer flavor)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Pasta
- 1 cup pastina (or any small pasta)
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Mushrooms and Leeks: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and leeks, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the leeks soften.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, releasing its aroma into the pot.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer, then add dried thyme, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Cook Pastina: Stir in the pastina and cook it for 6-8 minutes in the simmering broth, allowing the pasta to become tender and absorb the broth’s flavors.
- Add Cream (Optional): For a richer texture, add the heavy cream at this stage and stir well to combine with the broth and pasta.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts fully, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot. Enjoy your comforting Pastina with Mushroom Leek Parmesan Broth!
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth for a richer flavor.
- Heavy cream is optional; omit for a lighter broth.
- Adjust salt to taste based on broth choice.
- Pastina can be substituted with other small pasta shapes.
- For a vegan version, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast and use vegetable broth only.
