Easy Hearty Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Memories of my grandmother’s kitchen spark joy whenever I think about this hearty Italian penicillin soup that warms souls instantly.

Grandma learned her recipe during cold winters in tuscany, perfecting each comforting spoonful.

Fragrant herbs and tender vegetables dance together, creating a magical blend of nourishment and love.

Chicken slowly simmers with delicate vegetables, releasing rich flavors that embrace you like a warm hug.

Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds a delightful salty crunch that elevates every single bite.

Wellness and comfort merge seamlessly in this magical bowl of healing goodness.

We promise this soup will become your ultimate go-to comfort meal for chilly evenings.

Italian Soup That’s Hearty and Healing

• Boost Immunity Quickly: Packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and lean protein, this soup delivers powerful healing properties to fight off colds and boost overall wellness.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Just chop a few vegetables and let the soup simmer while you relax, creating a delicious meal with minimal kitchen effort and maximum taste satisfaction.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Kids and adults will love the creamy texture, mild flavors, and hearty chunks of chicken, making it a perfect one-pot meal that appeals to everyone at the dinner table.
• Versatile Weeknight Winner: Easy to customize with leftover vegetables or proteins, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in under an hour, perfect for busy families seeking nutritious meals.

All the Comforting Parts of Italian Penicillin Soup

• Chicken Broth: Liquid foundation of the soup, providing deep flavor and warmth. Low-sodium options work well for controlling salt content.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup vegetables creating a flavorful aromatic base. Fresh, crisp vegetables preferred.
• Garlic: Adds robust, earthy flavor to the soup. Fresh garlic cloves recommended over pre-minced.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing overall soup flavor. Sea salt or kosher salt preferred.
• Thyme Sprigs: Fresh herb adding subtle earthy notes. Dried thyme can be substituted.
• Bay Leaves: Provides gentle background complexity. Remove before serving.

• Shredded Chicken: Lean protein making the soup hearty and satisfying. Rotisserie chicken works great.
• Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Rind, Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano: Adds rich, nutty depth to the soup. Authentic Italian cheese recommended.

• Pasta: Gives soup substance and texture. Short pasta shapes like ditalini work best.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish adding color and fresh flavor. Chopped just before serving.

Italian Penicillin Soup Hearty Steps

Step 1: Prepare Vegetable Base

Chop onions, carrots, and celery into small pieces.

Crush fresh garlic cloves to release their aromatic flavors.

This foundational mix will create a robust flavor profile for the soup.

Step 2: Simmer Vegetable Blend

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic
• Salt

Combine all ingredients in a large pot with broth.

Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until vegetables become tender and soft, around 10 minutes.

The vegetables will develop a rich, deep flavor during this process.

Step 3: Blend Vegetable Mixture

Transfer softened vegetables and a cup of broth to a blender.

Cover with a towel and blend until completely smooth.

This creates a creamy base that will add depth to the soup’s texture.

Step 4: Build Soup Layers

• Thyme sprigs
• Bay leaves
• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind
• Pasta
• Shredded chicken

Add herbs and cheese rind to the pot.

Bring to a boil, then introduce pasta.

Simmer until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.

During the final few minutes, fold in shredded chicken for protein.

Step 5: Final Touches

Remove herb sprigs, bay leaves, and cheese rind from the soup.

These ingredients have already shared their incredible flavors with the broth.

Step 6: Serve With Love

Ladle hot soup into bowls.

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top.

Enjoy this comforting, healing soup that warms both body and soul.

Cozy Soup Tips for Italian Penicillin Bowls

• Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil before adding broth to deepen the vegetable's natural sweetness and enhance overall soup complexity.
• Blend a portion of vegetables to create a creamy base without adding heavy cream, keeping the soup lighter and more nutritious.
• Swap shredded chicken with rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, or plant-based alternatives like white beans for diverse dietary needs.
• Let the Parmigiano-Reggiano rind simmer in the broth to infuse rich, umami flavor throughout the soup before removing it at the end.
• Store soup and pasta separately to prevent noodles from becoming mushy, reheating and combining just before serving for optimal texture.

Italian Penicillin Soup Reheat Guide

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion, and freeze for 2-3 months.
• Warm soup over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth to restore original consistency.
• Heat in microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated.

Comfort Food Matches for Italian Penicillin Soup

• Perfect Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio that cuts through the soup's richness while complementing its herbal and chicken flavors.
• Bread Companion: Serve crusty Italian ciabatta or rustic sourdough bread to soak up the flavorful broth and add delightful textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Complementary Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth, adding a fresh, peppery note that enhances the overall meal experience.
• Herbal Beverage Option: Brew fresh sage or thyme tea as a warming non-alcoholic alternative that echoes the soup's herbal undertones and provides additional comfort.

Italian Penicillin Soup Hearty Blends

• Vegetarian Healing Soup: Replace chicken with firm tofu or white beans, using vegetable broth as the base for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free rice noodles or quinoa to accommodate wheat sensitivities while maintaining the soup's hearty texture.
• Low-Sodium Wellness Version: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce salt, adding fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to enhance flavor without increasing sodium content.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Recovery Soup: Incorporate additional Mediterranean ingredients like spinach, zucchini, and a splash of lemon juice to create a lighter, brighter version of the original recipe.

FAQs

The name comes from its healing and comforting properties, similar to how penicillin helps cure illness. It’s a traditional Italian remedy believed to boost immunity and help fight colds.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or white beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain the soup’s rich flavor profile.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Absolutely! It contains protein from chicken, vegetables packed with vitamins, and complex carbohydrates from pasta. The combination provides a well-rounded meal with essential nutrients to support overall health.

• What makes the soup's texture so creamy?

By blending some of the cooked vegetables and returning them to the broth, you create a naturally thick and smooth base without adding cream. The Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese also contributes to the rich, velvety consistency.

Hearty Italian Penicillin Soup for Cozy Comfort Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets healing in this Italian penicillin soup that wraps warmth around your senses with rich, nurturing flavors. Packed with tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and nourishing vegetables, each spoonful delivers a comforting embrace that soothes both body and soul.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups (1.9 liters) lower-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups (300 grams) chopped sweet onion
• 1.5 cups (225 grams) peeled and coarsely chopped carrots
• 2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups (280 grams) shredded rotisserie chicken

Aromatic and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 0.75 teaspoon (4 grams) kosher salt

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (115 grams) uncooked pastina pasta
• 1 (2 ounce/57 grams) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish
• Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

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Instructions

1. Prepare a robust soup base by combining aromatic vegetables with rich broth, creating a flavorful foundation for this comforting Italian-inspired dish.
2. Combine broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and salt in a large pot, simmering gently until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Carefully transfer cooked vegetables and a portion of broth to a blender, ensuring a smooth, velvety puree that will enrich the soup’s texture and depth.
4. Carefully return the blended vegetable mixture to the pot, integrating it seamlessly with the remaining broth.
5. Enhance the soup’s complexity by introducing thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind, allowing these ingredients to infuse the liquid with their distinctive aromatics.
6. Introduce pasta to the simmering broth, cooking until perfectly tender and al dente, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
7. During the final moments of cooking, gently fold in shredded chicken, allowing it to warm through and absorb the soup’s robust flavors.
8. Remove herb sprigs and cheese rind, eliminating any potential tough or woody elements from the final dish.
9. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, adding a final layer of flavor and visual appeal.
10. Serve immediately, ensuring each bowl captures the soup’s warmth and nurturing qualities.

Notes

• Enhance the soup’s depth by sautéing vegetables in olive oil before adding broth for a richer, more caramelized flavor profile.
• Opt for homemade chicken stock or high-quality store-bought broth to elevate the soup’s overall taste and nutritional value.
• Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or zucchini noodles for a low-carb or celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Boost protein content by adding white beans or extra shredded chicken, making the soup more filling and nutritionally balanced.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg