Pastina - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 c. water
2 tsp. salt
2 c. small pasta (such as egg pastina, orzo or stars)
2 to 3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 c. or more grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese
1 egg (optional)

Preparation

Bring the 6 cups water to a boil
in a saucepan. Add the salt, then the pasta. Stir slowly as the water returns to a boil so that the pasta doesn't clump at the bottom. Boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender. Without draining the pasta, add the butter and cheese and stir until both have melted. The mixture will be creamy, almost like a thick soup. Remove from heat.