Pasta, Potato and Celery Soup

The pasta, potato and celery soup is a warm and comforting dish, ideal for colder days. Here is the classic recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 200 g small pasta (ditalini, tubettini, etc.)
• 300 g potatoes
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 carrot (optional)
• 1 small onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 sprig of rosemary (optional)
• 50 g smoked pancetta (optional, to add flavor)
• Vegetable broth or water as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan (for serving, optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning and dicing the potatoes, finely slicing the onion and celery, and cutting the carrot into small pieces if you chose to include it.
2. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they become translucent. If you chose to use pancetta, add it at this stage and let it brown until crispy.
3. Add the potatoes, celery and carrot to the pot and mix well.
4. Cover the vegetables with vegetable broth or water, add the rosemary and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes start to become tender.
5. Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the time indicated on the package, stirring occasionally.
6. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper, then remove the rosemary sprig and the garlic clove.
7. Once the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are soft, turn off the heat.
8. Serve the soup hot and, if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

Trivia

The pasta, potato and celery soup is a typical dish of Italian home cooking, a comfort food that warms on the coldest days. Every family has its own version, sometimes enriched with other ingredients like pumpkin or beans. Smoked pancetta is not essential, but it certainly adds an extra touch of flavor.

Remember that you can always customize the recipe according to your tastes or needs. If you have specific requests or doubts, I’m here to help!