Organic Stelline "Little Stars" Pasta - 14.1 oz

Meet the pasta behind the most comforting bowl in Italian cooking. Stelline — literally "little stars" — are the classic shape for pastina, the tiny-pasta-in-broth dish generations of Italian families have turned to for everything from a baby's first solid food to a cure for the common cold. Drop them into simmering broth and watch them grow two to three times their size, turning a small handful into a full, cozy bowl. It's no wonder they're a favorite with kids — and with anyone chasing a little comfort.

Our house brand, Bottega Ditalia, sources this organic pasta from Pastificio Marella, an entirely family-run pastificio located in the heart of Puglia (the old Magna Grecia), in the province of Bari at the "heel" of Italy. Marella is renowned throughout Italy as one of the finest producers of traditional Apulian pasta.

The difference is in how it's made. While industrial factories rely on Teflon-coated steel dies for speed and durability, Marella extrudes its pasta through traditional bronze dies, giving each piece a rough, porous surface that holds broth, sauce, and cheese far better than smooth, mass-produced pasta. It's then dried slowly at a low temperature over three to four days — a patient process that develops a deeper wheat flavor and a texture that rivals handmade pasta.

Perfect for: classic pastina in broth, brothy soups, pastina for kids, or any dish where a small, tender shape is called for.

Craving a bowl right now? Try our Authentic Italian Pastina Recipe — the classic comfort food this pasta was made for.