When I was a kid, my Italian mom made pastina for me all the time. The joy of seeing those tiny little stars floating in butter and salt served alongside my dinner was unparalleled. Recently, I was talking to my friend Shae and she mentioned seeing pastina recipes popping up on her TikTok feed and asked if I had ever tried it. I was instantly transported back to my childhood the moment she mentioned it.

That conversation made me wonder why I haven't gone back to pastina?! This time of year is perfect for cozy comfort food and adding a sprinkling of childhood nostalgia to any dish instantly makes it better. This easy dish, which Italian families have been making for generations, has gained some traction (and more fans) on the internet as people discover (or rediscover) their love of the teeny, tiny pasta.