If you are craving a comforting bowl that feels like a warm hug and sings with vibrant, wholesome flavors, this Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Combining a rich chicken bone broth base with tender vegetables, delicate pastina pasta, and a silky finish from Parmesan and egg, this soup is both soothing and surprisingly luxurious. Bursting with turmeric’s golden glow and brightened with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon, it’s the perfect recipe for cozy evenings or whenever you need a little extra healing in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe relies on a handful of simple, well-chosen ingredients that each bring their own magic. Every element contributes purposeful flavor, texture, or color, blending into a memorable and nourishing meal.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing the vegetables and adding richness to the soup’s finish.
- Celery stalk: Provides a subtle earthy crunch and depth to the flavor base.
- Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color that makes the soup feel fresh and lively.
- Onion: Creates a foundational savory note that enriches every spoonful.
- Garlic cloves: Brings aromatic warmth that awakens the senses immediately.
- Pastina or orzo: Small pasta shapes that soften perfectly and make the soup hearty without heaviness.
- Chicken bone broth: The soul of the soup, infusing it with deep, comforting flavor and nourishment.
- Turmeric: Adds a beautiful golden hue plus subtle earthy brightness and health benefits.
- Kosher salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors naturally.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Provides a gentle kick and complexity.
- Parmesan cheese: Introduces a creamy umami richness that makes this soup truly special.
- Egg: Whisked and drizzled in at the end to create a silky, luxurious texture.
- Optional fresh parsley and lemon: Fresh parsley for a burst of color and brightness, plus a squeeze of lemon juice to lift the whole bowl.
How to Make Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. To build the flavor foundation, add diced celery, carrot, and onion, letting them soften gently until they release their sweet, fragrant aroma. This step unlocks the natural sugars and creates that comforting base every great soup needs.
Step 2: Add the Garlic
Stir in minced garlic and cook for about one minute until you smell that irresistible savory fragrance. Garlic wakes up the other ingredients and layers in a bit of warmth without overpowering the delicate flavors to come.
Step 3: Simmer the Broth
Pour in your chicken bone broth, which forms the heart and soul of this Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe. Sprinkle in turmeric for its golden hue and earthy undertones, plus salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring everything to a gentle simmer to marry all those wonderful notes.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
Add the pastina or orzo to the simmering broth, following the package instructions for cooking time. These tiny pasta shapes should be perfectly tender, giving the soup body and a lovely, comforting bite.
Step 5: Enrich with Parmesan and Butter
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese along with the remaining butter. The cheese melts into a creamy, savory swirl, resulting in a richness that feels indulgent but never heavy.
Step 6: Incorporate the Egg
Slowly drizzle the thoroughly whisked egg into the hot soup while stirring continuously. This technique creates a silky, smooth texture that adds layers of silkiness and luxury to every spoonful.
Step 7: Finish with Fresh Flavors
To brighten everything, sprinkle in chopped fresh parsley and add a squeeze of lemon juice. These fresh elements create the perfect balance, enhancing the soup’s nourishing qualities and making it taste vibrant and alive.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle this comforting Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe into bowls and savor every spoonful. It’s the kind of soup that feels like a cozy blanket for your soul with each warm bite.
How to Serve Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is the classic finishing touch, adding a burst of color and a herbaceous lift. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or an additional sprinkle of Parmesan can elevate the presentation and flavor. Don’t forget a squeeze of lemon just before serving to bring brightness and a hint of zing.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty rustic bread or garlic focaccia that you can dunk into the comforting broth. A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette complements the soup’s richness and keeps the meal light and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in hollowed-out mini bread bowls, turning every bowl into an edible vessel. Or top with crispy pancetta or golden toasted breadcrumbs for an exciting texture contrast that guests won’t soon forget.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld deliciously, making it just as appetizing the next day if not more.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup, but keep in mind that the pasta may absorb more liquid and change texture slightly upon thawing. To prevent mushiness, try freezing the soup and pasta separately if you plan ahead, then combine and reheat.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to avoid sticking and to ensure the soup heats evenly. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup thickens too much, and finish with fresh parsley and lemon again to revive the fresh notes.
FAQs
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken bone broth?
Absolutely! While chicken bone broth adds a rich depth of flavor, good-quality vegetable broth can make this soup vegetarian-friendly and still deliciously satisfying.
Is pastina essential, or can I use other pasta shapes?
Pastina or orzo works best because of their small size and quick cooking time, but you can substitute with other small pasta shapes you have on hand; just adjust cooking times accordingly.
What does the egg add to the soup?
The whisked egg, when drizzled in slowly, creates a smooth, silky texture that gives the soup a luxurious mouthfeel and a little extra protein, making it more satisfying.
Can I make this soup vegan?
To make a vegan version, swap butter for olive oil, use vegetable broth, omit the egg or replace with a plant-based thickener, and use a vegan Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.
How important is the turmeric?
Turmeric adds a subtle earthy flavor and the beautiful golden color that makes this soup visually stunning and adds health benefits, but it can be omitted if you’re not a fan or don’t have it on hand.
Final Thoughts
This Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels cozy and nourishing while dazzling your taste buds with sophisticated simplicity. Whether you’re under the weather or just craving something comforting and wholesome, this soup is a brilliant way to warm your heart and fill your belly. I can’t wait for you to make it your own and enjoy all those layers of flavor and soul-healing goodness in every spoonful.
Print
Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This comforting Italian Penicillin Soup is a flavorful and nourishing broth-based soup featuring tender sautéed vegetables, delicate pastina pasta, and enriched with Parmesan cheese and a silky egg drizzle. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines simple ingredients with a boost of turmeric for warmth and health benefits.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Soup Base & Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup pastina or orzo
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, thoroughly whisked
- Optional: fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced celery, carrot, and onion, sautéing until they become softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken bone broth, then season with turmeric, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pastina or orzo to the simmering broth and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 7-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Enrich with Parmesan & Butter: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and remaining butter until they melt completely into the soup, creating a rich flavor.
- Incorporate the Egg: Slowly drizzle the thoroughly whisked egg into the soup while stirring continuously to create a silky, enriched texture without scrambling the egg.
- Finish with Fresh Flavors: Add fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired to brighten the flavors before serving.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy its comforting warmth and nourishing qualities.
Notes
- You can substitute pastina with orzo or any small pasta you prefer.
- Be sure to stir continuously when adding the egg to avoid curdling.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on the saltiness of your broth and Parmesan.
- The turmeric adds an anti-inflammatory boost and subtle earthiness but can be omitted if preferred.
- Adding lemon and parsley is optional but enhances freshness and balances richness.
