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20-Minute Lemon Parmesan Pastina (Easy Acini di Pepe)

By: Nadia Aidi
|
Servings: 2 servings
Italian comfort food ready in 20 minutes. Toasted acini di pepe slowly soaks in a bright lemon broth before whisking in butter and grated parmesan cheese. The result is a rich, creamy, and effortless weeknight dinner.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 20 minutes
A bowl of Italian comfort food showing a butter lemon pastina made with acini di pepe, topped with more grated parmesan cheese and fresh lemon wedges and a spoon resting in the bowl.

Equipment

  • zester
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 drizzle olive oil
  • 1 cup acini di pepe
  • 2 lemon zest
  • salt to taste
  • 3.5-4.5 cups stock broth, or water (warmed)
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano grated + more for topping
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Toast the Pasta: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add acini di pepe. Toast for 2-3 minutes until golden.
    1 drizzle olive oil, 1 cup acini di pepe
  • Simmer: Stir in the lemon zest and stock (or water), adding liquid one cup at a time. If using water, season with a pinch of salt. Simmer until pasta is al dente and retains a brothy consistency.
    1 Lemon zest, 3.5-4.5 cups stock
    • Heat your stock or water in a small pot on the stove. This helps the acini di pepe soak the liquids in faster and it makes it easy to at ladle at a time.
  • The Sauce: Squeeze juice from half a lemon into the pan. Stir in grated parmigiano reggiano. Cook while mixing for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add butter. Mix vigorously until emulsified into the pasta water.
    1/2 lemon, 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, salt
  • Serve: On a small plate, combine lemon zest from 1 lemon with salt and then mix into the Pastina. Top with more parmigiano reggiano, black pepper, and that is it.
    1 Lemon zest, black pepper
    • Rubbing the salt with lemon zest together with clean hands helps releases the oil from the lemon zest and infuses the salt.

Nutrition

Calories: 754kcal, Carbohydrates: 80g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 23g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 4777mg, Potassium: 205mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1991IU, Vitamin C: 59mg, Calcium: 630mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info