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Italian Penicillin Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Bowl for Cold Days - Featured Image

Italian Penicillin Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Bowl for Cold Days

Learn how to make delicious Italian Penicillin Soup. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Gathering the ingredients for this soup is as simple as stepping into your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
  • 1 cup uncooked pasta (orzo or small shells)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

If you’re missing an ingredient or two, don’t worry! This soup is forgiving. Swap out the pasta for rice or use vegetable broth if you want a vegetarian version. The beauty of home cooking is making it work with what you have.

Instructions

Let’s take this comforting journey step by step:

  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the carrots, celery, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, stirring to combine with the vegetables.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the flavors meld together for about 15 minutes.
  5. Add the shredded chicken and pasta to the pot. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust as needed—everyone’s taste buds are a bit different!
  7. Just before serving, sprinkle in fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy the comfort it brings.

This soup is beautifully adaptable. If you find yourself with a little extra time, let it simmer longer to deepen the flavors even more. And don’t be afraid to get the kids involved; they might love adding the pasta or sprinkling the cheese!

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Italian Penicillin Soup, recipe, cooking, food