Description
This comforting Italian Pastina Penicillin Soup is a quick and soothing remedy featuring tender pastina pasta in a flavorful broth with sautéed carrots, onions, and garlic. Enriched optionally with an egg for silky texture and garnished with Parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s perfect for easing cold symptoms or a light, nourishing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 cup pastina pasta
- 1 large egg (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Add Carrots: Stir in the diced carrots and continue cooking for 2 more minutes, combining well with the aromatics.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the carrots are tender.
- Cook Pasta: Add the pastina pasta into the simmering soup and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is fully tender.
- Incorporate Egg (Optional): If using, beat the large egg in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle the egg into the hot soup while stirring gently to create silky ribbons throughout the soup.
- Season and Serve: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Pastina is a tiny Italian pasta, but you can substitute with other small pasta shapes like orzo or acini di pepe.
- The egg adds a velvety texture similar to egg drop soup; omit if preferred.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of your broth and cheese.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness but is optional.
- This soup reheats well but may thicken; add a splash of broth if needed when warming.
