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Classic Italian Pastina Soup (Italian Penicillin)

Close-up of a white bowl filled with hot pastina soup, garnished generously with fresh parsley and grated cheese.
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Make this simple, comforting Italian Pastina Soup, often called ‘Italian penicillin,’ for a quick, nourishing meal. This recipe uses basic ingredients and cooks fast, making it perfect for sick days or cozy weeknights.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1.5 cups pastina pasta (or acini di pepe or orzo)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small carrot, finely grated or diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 egg (optional, for richness)
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil or butter in a medium pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and grated carrot. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the carrot softens and the garlic smells fragrant.
  3. Pour in the broth and bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
  4. Stir in the pastina pasta. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often to stop the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, until the pasta is tender.
  5. If you are using the egg, beat the egg with the Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Lower the heat on the soup. Slowly drizzle the egg mixture into the soup while stirring the soup constantly to create fine egg ribbons.
  6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to your taste. Simmer for one more minute.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls. Add extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  • If you are feeling unwell, skip the bread and drink the soup directly from a mug for maximum comfort.
  • This soup is a great alternative to traditional chicken noodle soup when you need something light.
  • For extra flavor, use a Parmesan rind while the broth simmers, removing it before adding the pasta.

Nutrition

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