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Classic Italian Penicillin Soup: A Healing Bowl of Flavor

Close-up of a white bowl filled with vibrant Italian penicillin soup featuring sliced carrots and topped with fresh chopped parsley.
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This Italian Penicillin Soup recipe offers simple comfort when you need it most. It combines familiar Italian flavors with nourishing ingredients like vegetables, chicken broth, and small pasta, making it the best soup for colds and cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegan option)
  • 1 cup cooked small pasta (like pastina or ditalini)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (optional, omit for vegetarian)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic, oregano, and basil. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  5. If using chicken, stir in the shredded cooked chicken now.
  6. Stir in the cooked pasta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the pasta is heated through. Do not overcook the pasta.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Season generously with salt and pepper to your taste.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve this healing soup immediately.

Notes

  • For a smoother, more velvety soup, you can blend half of the soup mixture with an immersion blender before adding the pasta.
  • If you are preparing this ahead of time, cook the pasta separately and add it just before reheating and serving to prevent it from absorbing too much liquid.
  • Use a good quality broth; this is the base flavor for your homemade healing broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/italian-penicillin-soup-recipe/