Red Sauce Pastina

Step 1In a saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic and chopped shallot until fragrant and softened (about 2–3 minutes).

Step 2Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add red pepper flakes if using.

Step 3Pour in 1–2 cups of water or broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the pastina and reduce heat to simmer. Cook until the pastina is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more liquid if needed.

Step 4Stir in the heavy cream for extra richness and let it warm through.

Step 5Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and an extra sprinkle of cheese if desired. Serve warm and cozy!