Pasta soup is a culinary delight that combines simple yet delicious ingredients such as chicken, pasta, and fresh vegetables, in a flavorful and comforting broth. This soup is perfect for enjoying on cold days or simply when you're looking for a comforting dish to share with family and friends. Its preparation is quick and easy, and its versatility allows you to adapt it to your dietary preferences and needs.
This pasta soup recipe makes me nostalgic, reminding me of my grandmother's seasoning. She prepared this soup every time I visited, knowing my love for pasta in various dishes. She used the same recipe but sometimes added chicken, meat, or meatballs. I relished those wonderful lunches at my grandmother's house.
Years later, I've decided to cook in her honor, and I truly missed the delightful taste of pasta soup. My attempt didn't replicate hers exactly but it was delicious and reminiscent of her flavor. If she were with me, she'd be proud.
This pasta soup is simply delicious. I also recall my grandmother making it for those days when my uncles were catching colds or had a hangover. Always remember, for our grandmothers, soups are wholesome foods packed with beneficial properties, and my grandmother was no exception.
It's easy to buy almost ready-made soups from the supermarket, but truth be told, they never match the homemade flavor. Pasta soup is a traditional staple in Colombian households; truly, nothing beats homemade. It's an essential dish on our tables.
The best part? It's a simple recipe, wholesome and filled with memories. In this version, I've added chicken for a richer taste. I hope you, like me, are inspired to prepare this pasta soup. Let's get cooking.
What's the best pasta to use in this soup?
Colombian pasta soup is versatile, and you can use any pasta of your choice. However, small pastas like shells, stars, or short noodles are ideal since they cook quickly and blend well with the other ingredients.
How can I make the soup vegetarian?
To make the pasta soup vegetarian, simply omit the chicken pieces and replace the chicken broth with a vegetable broth. Ensure you choose a flavorful vegetable broth to retain the soup's richness and taste.
What's the role of cilantro in this recipe?
Chopped cilantro is added at the end of cooking to give the soup a fresh, herbaceous touch. Its distinct flavor adds an extra layer of complexity, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
How can I adjust the consistency?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of broth or water used in the recipe. Conversely, if you want a more liquid soup, simply add more broth or water during cooking.
What other ingredients can I add?
Pasta soup is very adaptable. Feel free to add ingredients based on your preferences. Consider corn, peas, spinach, green beans, or even mushrooms for a unique twist.
Tips and Tricks for Pasta Soup
Ensure you chop the vegetables into small, uniform cubes for even cooking and blending with the pasta.
For a deeper flavor, you can brown the chicken pieces before cooking them in the broth.
Monitor the pasta's cooking time to prevent over-softening and becoming mushy.
Common Mistakes
Not cooking the chicken thoroughly: Make sure to cook the chicken until tender and well-done.
Using too much pasta: Excessive pasta can absorb a lot of broth, making the soup too thick. Adjust pasta quantity as per your preference.
Recommended recipes with shared ingredients
Chicken and Vegetable Soup: Similar to pasta soup, this soup combines chicken, broth, and vegetables in a comforting broth.
Colombian Lentil Soup: This soup uses ingredients like carrots, potatoes, onions, and garlic, and can easily be adapted to include green peas and cilantro.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 chicken pieces (optional.)
- 7 cups of chicken broth or water.
- 1 potato (peeled and diced into small cubes.)
- ½ cup of carrot.
- 2 garlic cloves.
- ½ cup of pasta of your choice.
- ½ onion.
- A pinch of color (likely annatto or saffron.)
- Chopped cilantro.
- ½ teaspoon of oregano or cumin.
- ½ cup of green peas (Optional.)
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add the chicken broth or water and the chicken pieces. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low heat.
- Add the diced potato and carrot, green peas (if using), finely chopped onion and garlic, the coloring agent, and the oregano or cumin. Let it cook for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender and well-cooked.
- After this time, add the pasta and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro just before turning off the heat.
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