🎉 Introduction
When you’re feeling under the weather, drained, or simply craving something soothing and nourishing, Italian Penicillin Soup is the bowl that brings warmth, vitality, and comfort with every sip. This recipe is inspired by the comforting nature of classic chicken soup but infused with Italian ingredients that elevate both flavor and healing properties.
The combination of garlic, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, lemon, Parmesan, and tiny pastina creates the perfect balance of richness, brightness, and coziness. Pastina—those delicate little star-shaped or tiny pasta pearls—brings soft, nostalgic comfort. Lemon offers a fresh, vibrant zing that wakes the senses. Parmesan deepens the savory richness. And plenty of garlic brings the soothing, immune-supporting flavor Italian families swear by.
Whether you’re sick, tired, cold, or simply craving a bowl of warmth, this Italian Penicillin Soup is a feel-good, soul-nourishing classic that works every time.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Ladle
- Citrus zester or grater
🛒 Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon (zest + juice)
Broth
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Pasta
- 1 ¼ cups pastina (or any tiny Italian pasta)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
- Extra fresh-cracked Parmesan and black pepper for finishing
Oil
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Extra drizzle of olive oil for serving
Dairy
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 — Sauté the aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery.
Cook 6–8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Step 2 — Add broth
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth.
Add salt and black pepper.
Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Step 3 — Add pastina
Once the broth is gently boiling, add the pastina.
Cook 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta becomes soft and tender.
Step 4 — Brighten the soup
Turn heat to low.
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
Allow flavors to meld for 2–3 minutes.
Step 5 — Add Parmesan
Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
It melts into the broth, creating a silky, comforting texture.
Step 6 — Taste & adjust
Add more salt, pepper, lemon, or Parmesan depending on your preferred flavor.
Step 7 — Serve warm
Serve with:
- Extra Parmesan
- Black pepper
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Fresh parsley
This finishing touch elevates the soup from simple to spectacular.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
- Keeps 3–4 days
- Pastina absorbs broth and thickens the soup—add extra broth when reheating
Freezer
- Best when frozen before adding pastina
- Add pasta fresh when reheating
Reheating
- Warm over low heat
- Add broth or water to restore consistency
🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Italian Penicillin
Add 2 cups shredded chicken for protein.
2. Creamy Version
Add ½ cup heavy cream after simmering.
3. Lemon-Lovers Version
Add extra lemon zest + juice for a brighter finish.
4. Immune-Boosting Version
Add ginger and turmeric for added wellness benefits.
5. Vegetarian Version
Use vegetable broth and skip chicken.
6. Vegan Friendly
Skip Parmesan and use nutritional yeast.
7. Spinach or Kale Boost
Stir in greens during the last 2 minutes.
8. Extra Garlic Version
Double the garlic for stronger healing properties.
9. Low-Carb
Replace pastina with cauliflower rice.
10. Rich Italian Version
Simmer with a Parmesan rind for deeper flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why is it called Italian Penicillin Soup?
Because Italian families use this combination of garlic, lemon, pasta, and broth as a soothing natural remedy.
2. Can I use any pasta?
Yes, but tiny pasta like pastina, orzo, or acini di pepe works best.
3. Can I add chicken?
Yes—it’s a great protein addition.
4. Is this soup good for colds?
Yes—garlic, lemon, broth, and warmth help soothe symptoms.
5. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes—omit Parmesan.
6. Can I freeze it?
Freeze before adding pasta.
7. How do I prevent mushy pastina?
Add it near the end and avoid overcooking.
8. Can I make it spicy?
Add red pepper flakes.
9. Can I use canned vegetables?
Fresh works best but canned carrots/celery can be used.
10. Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—it’s mild, comforting, and kid-friendly.
🏁 Conclusion
This Italian Penicillin Soup is warm, healing, simple, and deeply comforting—a bowl that nourishes both the body and the soul. The soothing broth, tender vegetables, bright lemon, aromatic garlic, soft pastina, and savory Parmesan create a perfect harmony of Italian flavors meant to comfort you on sick days, cold nights, or whenever you crave a wholesome homemade meal.
With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, this recipe is ideal for families, busy weeknights, or soothing seasonal meals. Light yet satisfying, bright yet cozy—this is the Italian comfort soup you’ll return to again and again.
Italian Penicillin Soup – Healing, Comforting & Full of Bright Italian Flavor
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery.
- Cook 6–8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth.
- Add salt and black pepper.
- Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Once the broth is gently boiling, add the pastina.
- Cook 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta becomes soft and tender.
- Turn heat to low.
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
- Allow flavors to meld for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- It melts into the broth, creating a silky, comforting texture.
- Add more salt, pepper, lemon, or Parmesan depending on your preferred flavor.
- Serve with:
- Extra Parmesan
- Black pepper
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Fresh parsley
- This finishing touch elevates the soup from simple to spectacular.
Notes
Refrigerator Keeps 3–4 days Pastina absorbs broth and thickens the soup—add extra broth when reheating Freezer Best when frozen before adding pastina Add pasta fresh when reheating Reheating Warm over low heat Add broth or water to restore consistency 🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Italian Penicillin Add 2 cups shredded chicken for protein. 2. Creamy Version Add ½ cup heavy cream after simmering. 3. Lemon-Lovers Version Add extra lemon zest + juice for a brighter finish. 4. Immune-Boosting Version Add ginger and turmeric for added wellness benefits. 5. Vegetarian Version Use vegetable broth and skip chicken. 6. Vegan Friendly Skip Parmesan and use nutritional yeast. 7. Spinach or Kale Boost Stir in greens during the last 2 minutes. 8. Extra Garlic Version Double the garlic for stronger healing properties. 9. Low-Carb Replace pastina with cauliflower rice. 10. Rich Italian Version Simmer with a Parmesan rind for deeper flavor. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why is it called Italian Penicillin Soup? Because Italian families use this combination of garlic, lemon, pasta, and broth as a soothing natural remedy. 2. Can I use any pasta? Yes, but tiny pasta like pastina, orzo, or acini di pepe works best. 3. Can I add chicken? Yes—it’s a great protein addition. 4. Is this soup good for colds? Yes—garlic, lemon, broth, and warmth help soothe symptoms. 5. Can I make it dairy-free? Yes—omit Parmesan. 6. Can I freeze it? Freeze before adding pasta. 7. How do I prevent mushy pastina? Add it near the end and avoid overcooking. 8. Can I make it spicy? Add red pepper flakes. 9. Can I use canned vegetables? Fresh works best but canned carrots/celery can be used. 10. Can kids eat this? Absolutely—it’s mild, comforting, and kid-friendly. 🏁 Conclusion This Italian Penicillin Soup is warm, healing, simple, and deeply comforting—a bowl that nourishes both the body and the soul. The soothing broth, tender vegetables, bright lemon, aromatic garlic, soft pastina, and savory Parmesan create a perfect harmony of Italian flavors meant to comfort you on sick days, cold nights, or whenever you crave a wholesome homemade meal. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, this recipe is ideal for families, busy weeknights, or soothing seasonal meals. Light yet satisfying, bright yet cozy—this is the Italian comfort soup you’ll return to again and again.
