Name: Italian Penicillin Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings

Italian Nonna’s Healing Pastina Soup – “Italian Penicillin”

Italian Penicillin Soup, also called Pastina Soup or Nonna’s Sick Day Soup, genuinely heals what ails you. Rich chicken broth simmers with aromatic vegetables creating golden base blended smooth for velvety texture. Tiny pastina pasta stars float perfectly while Parmesan rind infuses umami depth no bouillon cube matches. Rotisserie chicken adds protein comfort while fresh parsley and lemon provide bright finish making every spoonful nurturing bowl Italian grandmothers serve when colds strike or cozy nights call for healing warmth.

Why Italian Penicillin Works Perfectly

Blended vegetables create naturally thick broth without cream or flour. Parmesan rind provides authentic Italian flavor impossible replicate. Pastina’s tiny stars cook perfectly without clouding broth. Single pot method minimizes cleanup while maximum flavor extraction occurs. Rotisserie chicken saves time while delivering tender protein. Lemon brightness prevents heaviness balancing richness perfectly.

Perfect Italian Penicillin Soup

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Serves: 6 (1.5 cups each)

Healing pastina soup with blended vegetable broth, Parmesan rind, and rotisserie chicken.

Vegetable Broth Base:

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 large sweet onion, roughly chopped
2 large carrots, peeled & roughly chopped
2 celery ribs, roughly chopped
6 garlic cloves, smashed
3/4 tsp kosher salt
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 (2-inch) Parmesan rind

Soup Finish:

4 oz pastina pasta (stelline, acini di pepe, or orzo)
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Freshly grated Parmesan
Black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Make Golden Broth Base:

Combine broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt in large pot or Dutch oven.
Bring to boil over high heat, reduce to medium-low simmer.
Cook 10 minutes until vegetables softened but not mushy.

Blend for Velvety Texture:

Using slotted spoon, transfer vegetables + 1 cup broth to blender.
Blend until completely smooth (30 seconds). Steam vent essential.
Pour blended mixture back into pot, stir thoroughly.

Infuse with Parmesan Magic:

Add thyme sprigs, bay leaves, Parmesan rind to pot.
Bring back to gentle boil over medium-high.
Reduce to simmer, cook 10 minutes allowing flavors meld.

Perfect Pastina Timing:

Add pastina pasta, simmer medium-low 7-9 minutes until al dente.
Stir occasionally prevents sticking to bottom.
Add shredded chicken last 3 minutes warms through perfectly.

Bright Finish Essential:

Remove thyme sprigs, bay leaves, Parmesan rind.
Stir in lemon juice, chopped parsley.
Ladle into bowls, top grated Parmesan, black pepper.
Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Healing Tip: Parmesan rind transforms ordinary broth into Nonna magic. Pastina brands: Barilla, De Cecco, or Acini di Pepe perfect stars [web:341].

Mastering Broth Perfection

Vegetable Blending Technique

Rough chop saves time while blending smooth. 1 cup broth prevents overly thick puree. High-speed blender or immersion blender both work. Cool slightly prevents steam explosion. Proper ratio creates perfect body without cream.

Parmesan Rind Essential

Save rinds from grated blocks. 2-inch piece perfect flavor infusion. Simmer gently extracts umami without bitterness. Remove before serving prevents chewiness. Freeze extras future soups.

Pastina Cooking Critical

7-9 minutes al dente prevents mushiness. Stir first 2 minutes prevents sticking. Tiny pasta releases starch thickening broth naturally. Cook separately if making ahead prevents overcooking.

Pasta & Protein Perfection

Pastina Selection Guide

Stelline (little stars), acini di pepe, orzo, ditalini smallest work best. Barilla/De Cecco premium brands. 4 oz perfect 6 servings. Gluten-free options available. Tiny size essential broth ratio.

Rotisserie Chicken Timing

Shredded breast/thigh mix provides texture variety. Last 3 minutes warms without drying. Homemade poached chicken works. Freeze bones future broth. Protein elevates soup meal status.

Fresh Herb Finish

Italian parsley brightens richness. Lemon juice essential prevents flatness. Add just before serving preserves vibrancy. Red pepper flakes optional warmth.

Expert Soup Making Tips

Broth selection perfect:

Low-sodium prevents over-salting. Swanson organic/box broths reliable. Homemade best flavor. Bone broth adds collagen depth. Water + bouillon inferior flavor [web:341].

Blender safety essential:

Remove center lid piece, cover towel vents steam. Cool 2 minutes prevents burns. Work batches prevents overflow. Immersion blender pot-safe alternative.

Pasta cooking precise:

Al dente prevents mush reheating. Stir first 2 minutes prevents sticking. Cook separately make-ahead. Rinse cold water stops cooking preserves texture.

Storage perfection:

Store pasta separate prevents absorption. Broth 5 days refrigerated. Freeze 3 months. Reheat broth first, add pasta last minute. Freshness maintained.

Scaling easy:

Double recipe fills Dutch oven perfectly. Pastina ratio 1 oz per cup broth. Chicken 1/3 cup per serving. Flavor ratios maintain perfectly.

Delicious Variations

Vegetarian Italian Penicillin

Vegetable broth, omit chicken. White beans protein boost. Same technique. Mushrooms umami depth.

Spicy Calabrian Version

Calabrian chili paste, crushed red pepper. Pepperoncini garnish. Sicilian heat perfects healing.

Creamy Parmesan Finish

1/2 cup grated Parmesan stirred off-heat. Extra richness colds. Avoid boiling prevents separation.

Meatball Pastina

Mini Italian meatballs simmered broth. Ground chicken/pork perfect. Family favorite upgrade.

Instant Pot Method

High pressure 5 minutes veggies. Quick release, blend, pastina sauté 7 minutes. 30-minute total reality.

Make-Ahead & Freezer Guide

Component Storage

Broth 5 days refrigerated. Pasta separate airtight. Chicken airtight container. Assemble fresh reheating.

Freezer Strategy

Broth freezes perfectly 3 months. Pasta dry storage. Portion single servings convenience. Thaw overnight refrigerator.

Sick Day Production

Triple batch fills freezer. Label dates essential. Weekly reheats planned. Nonna efficiency perfected.

Frequently Asked Questions

No Parmesan rind available?

2 Tbsp grated Parmesan + 1 tsp Worcestershire. Nutritional yeast vegan option. Flavor close approximation.

Pastina substitute?

Acini di pepe, stelline, orzo, ditalini mini. Cook time varies slightly. Tiny pasta essential broth ratio.

Gluten-free version?

Gluten-free pastina exists. Jovial brown rice works perfectly. Same technique. Cornstarch-free broth.

Too thick after blending?

Additional broth/water 1/2 cup increments. Simmer reduces naturally. Pasta starch thickens reheating.

Chicken substitute?

Turkey, chickpeas, white beans, shredded tofu. Protein preference accommodates all diets.