Name: ITALIAN PENICILLIN SOUP
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 Tbsp olive oil; 3 large carrots peeled and roughly chopped; 1 yellow onion quartered; 5 cloves garlic peeled; 3 ribs celery halved; 1 tsp salt; black pepper; parmesan rind optional; 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 ¼ cup pastina or other small pasta shape; 1 lemon more as desired; freshly grated parmesan and black pepper; drizzle of olive oil optional; chopped parsley optional

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There’s nothing quite like that moment when someone sniffles and you know exactly what to make. Italian Penicillin Soup is the go-to remedy that’s been trending online latelyand for good reason. This comforting bowl is ready in about 45 minutes and requires zero fancy skills. It’s perfect for when you’re caring for a loved one or simply need something warming yourself.

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Think of it as Italy’s heartfelt alternative to chicken noodle soup, but lighter and more aromatic. Fragrant herbs, tender vegetables, and a clear golden broth come together to create simple healing magic. This is one of those light easy soup recipes that nourishes body and soul. Full recipe details below!

After months of testing, I’ve nailed the balance, especially between fresh thyme and bay leavesthanks in part to my backyard herb garden. Honestly? The secret is letting the ingredients slow-simmer until the flavor deepens into something far greater than the sum of its parts. It’s comfort food in its purest form.

Why This Italian Penicillin Soup Works Every Time

This Italian Penicillin Soup stands apart from typical chicken noodleand in the best way. The real magic happens after you sauté then blend softened vegetables into a smooth golden broth that’s delicate, aromatic, and endlessly satisfying. It’s one of those easy soup recipes no meat that feels deeply nourishing yet light on the stomach.

What makes this recipe absolutely foolproof is its simplicity: sauté, simmer, blend, and finish with pasta. No advanced knife skills or complicated staging required. The vegetables and herbs do the heavy lifting so you can relax and let the flavors do their thing.

Pro Tip: Tossing in a parmesan rind while simmering adds an umami depth that’ll have everyone asking about your “secret ingredient.” Don’t skip it if you’ve got one on hand!

Key Ingredients That Make the Difference

Every item in this recipe earns its place. Carrots add sweetness, celery rounds out the base flavor, and those five garlic clovesthough boldmellow into aromatic richness during simmering. The onion lays the foundation.

Ingredients for Italian Penicillin Soup laid out neatly on white surface, including carrots, celery, garlic, onion, herbs, and pastina

Stirring in lemon juice at the end is essentialit brightens and rounds out the soup. And pastina? Tiny star-shaped pasta (or any small shape you have) brings comfort without overshadowing the silky broth. This balance of ingredients is what sets the soup apart.

Ingredient	Easy Swap	Why It Works
Pastina	Orzo, small shells, ditalini	Delicate texture won’t overwhelm the broth
Chicken broth	Vegetable broth	Keeps it light and accessible for all diets
Yellow onion	White onion, shallots	Maintains a sweet aromatic base
Fresh lemon	Bottled lemon juice	If bottled, use half the amount and adjust to taste

How the Magic Happens Step by Step

The strength of this Italian Penicillin Soup lies in its simple process. Begin by sautéing the vegetables until lightly golden and aromatic. This is the foundation for building that slow-cooked taste with simple ingredients.

After a 30-minute simmer, everything softens beautifully and blending transforms it into a silky, restorative base. I prefer an immersion blender right in the pot, but a countertop blender works well toojust let the mixture cool slightly and blend in batches to avoid splashes.

Sauté phase: 4–5 minutes until vegetables are light golden and fragrant
Simmer time: 25–30 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally for even softening
Blending: 1–2 minutes until smooth, creamy, with no chunks remaining
Pasta cooking: 8–10 minutes added to the base, stir to prevent sticking

Step	Time	What to Look For
Sauté vegetables	4-5 minutes	Light golden color, fragrant aroma
Simmer with broth	25-30 minutes	Vegetables very soft, easily mashed with spoon
Blend smooth	1-2 minutes	No visible chunks; smooth, silky consistency
Cook pasta	8-10 minutes	Al dente, not mushy

Smart Tips and Troubleshooting

Leftovers? Cook the pastina separately and store it apart from the soup base. Pasta continues to soak up liquid after cooking, so this prevents soggy or mushy results the next day.

If the texture feels off, it’s easy to adjust. Blended vegetables vary in water content, so some batches may be thicker. Just whisk in a little warm broth until it’s perfect for you.

Too thick? Stir in warm broth gradually until it thins to your liking
Too thin? Let it simmer uncovered for 5–10 minutes to reduce
Lacking flavor? Recheck salt levels and consider more lemon or herbs
Storing leftovers? Keep pasta and soup base separate, then combine when reheating

Making It Your Own

This recipe offers a great blank canvas. Out of carrots? Sub in parsnips for a slightly earthier flavor. Want more greens? Stir in baby spinach or kale during the final minutes of cooking.

You can also finish each bowl with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, grated parmesan, or even a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Leftover roasted veggies or chopped fresh parsley make easy and delicious personalizations.

Note: As far as light easy soup recipes go, this one’s excellent year-round but especially comforting when you need a healing lift during sniffle season.

Serving and Storage Made Simple

This soup improves with time, making it great for meal prep or caring for someone all week. Store the soup base and cooked pasta separately to keep the texture at its best. Combine only when ready to serve for a freshly made feel.

Try serving with warm, crusty bread or focaccia for dipping. Or keep it simple with garnishes like grated parmesan, a crack of pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. These final touches elevate without any extra effort.

Storage Method	Duration	Best Practice
Refrigerator	3–4 days	Store pasta and soup base separately in airtight containers
Freezer	2–3 months	Freeze broth only; prepare fresh pasta when ready to serve
Reheating	Best on stovetop	Add a splash of broth if soup has thickened
Make ahead	Up to the blending step	Cook pasta and add lemon just before serving

Expert Says: The Healing Touch of Italian Penicillin Soup

This recipe shines during times of need. It features garlic, lemon, and herbsall known in traditional cooking for their immune-supportive, anti-inflammatory qualities. With nourishing vegetables and a soothing broth, this soup becomes both a healing comfort and a deeply satisfying meal.

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The Journey to Perfecting My Italian Penicillin Soup

I spent many weekends fine-tuning this Italian Penicillin Soup, experimenting with the garlic-to-herb ratio until it finally hit that perfect comforting note. One early batch was so strong it cleared the whole kitchen! Now, it brings just the right cozy warmth and brightnessand you can taste the care in every spoonful. Handmade meals are love, ladled straight from the pot.

FAQs ( Italian Penicillin Soup )

Final serving of Italian Penicillin Soup garnished with lemon and parsley, in a white bowl on a cloth napkin

Your New Go-To Comfort Bowl

This Italian Penicillin Soup delivers everything you crave in just 45 minutesaromatic, silky-smooth broth that’s light and restorative, packed with subtle flavors that evolve beautifully with every simmer. The blended vegetables make it creamy without needing cream, and honestly? The way your kitchen smells while it cooks is part of the healing magic.

Try swapping in fennel for half the celery for a touch of licorice, or toss in a handful of spinach near the end for added nutrients. Pro tip? It keeps well for days and tastes even richer after sitting overnight. A drizzle of herbed olive oil or a pinch of saffron while sautéing instantly elevates this wholesome dinner for colds.

I’d love to hear how you personalize this bowldo you have a go-to tweak or secret spice blend? There’s something magical about nurturing others with soup this comforting and easy. Bookmark or pin this oneyou’ll come back to it anytime someone needs a little edible TLC.