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Italian Penicillin Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup in a white bowl, featuring a rich golden broth with rice, finely chopped herbs, and grated cheese on top.

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Italian Penicillin Soup is a comforting, immune-boosting soup made with sautéed vegetables, blended into a smooth, healing broth, and served over pastina. It’s vegan, naturally gluten-free adaptable, and perfect for cold and flu season.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 small head garlic (11 cloves), peeled
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3 large celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 8 cups filtered water
  • Optional: ¼ inch fresh ginger root, peeled
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup dry pastina pasta (gluten-free if desired)
  • Optional garnish: Finely diced parsley leaves or vegan parmesan

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic cloves and sauté on low for 10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add carrots and celery. Sauté for another 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in 8 cups of filtered water. Add optional ginger, turmeric, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 10 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender.
  5. In a separate pot, cook pastina according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  6. Using a spider strainer, transfer vegetables to a blender. Add 3 cups of the cooking broth and blend until smooth and creamy.
  7. Return the blended mixture to the pot and mix with remaining broth. Stir well and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. To serve, add ¼ cup of cooked pastina to a bowl and ladle hot broth over it. Garnish as desired.

Notes

  • Chop vegetables large enough for easy blending transfer.
  • Store soup and pastina separately to maintain texture.
  • Freeze broth for up to 3 months, leaving space in the container for expansion.
  • To make creamier, stir in coconut milk or cashew cream.
  • Use gluten-free pastina or orzo for a gluten-free version.