THE ITALIAN PENICILLIN SOUP

Like a classic sick-day noodle soup, this vegan Italian penicillin soup is a wonderful comfort food when you’re feeling under the weather. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfectly soothing, warm, and, most importantly, delicious!

The name “penicillin” might be a bit of a playful exaggeration, but this Italian soup is truly perfect for those days when you’re not feeling your best. This vegan version boasts a striking golden color and cleverly hides a bunch of vegetables.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Liquid Gold: Onion, garlic, ginger, celery, and carrots create a beautiful and nutrient-rich broth.
Hidden Veggies: Blending the broth and adding small pasta shapes makes it easy to get kids (and even picky adults) to eat their vegetables.
Ultimate Comfort: This soup is incredibly comforting. It’s perfect when you’re sick, sad, or just need to warm up.
Quick and Easy: The entire dish comes together in just half an hour and requires no special equipment.

Key Ingredients

Aromatics: Garlic, onion, and ginger form a deep flavor base.
Carrots: Add sweetness and the soup’s signature golden hue.
Celery: Essential for any good broth. Even if you dislike raw celery, you’ll love it in this soup.
Pastina: Small, star-shaped pasta, ideal for soups.

Customization Options

Pasta Shapes: Use any small pasta shape, like orzo, mini shells, or alphabet pasta.
Sinus Clearing Power: Add a chili pepper or two.
Salt Level: Adjust salt to taste. Your vegetable broth may already be salty.
Ingredient Swaps: Add variety by swapping ingredients (e.g., pumpkin for carrot) or adding extras like red lentils or spinach.
Creamy Base: For a richer base, add coconut milk or a handful of cashews to the blender.
Pasta Amount: Add as much or as little pasta as you like.

How to Make Italian Penicillin Soup

Add water or vegetable broth to a large pot and bring to a boil. Add all vegetables and salt.
Simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
Meanwhile, cook the pastina (or other small pasta). Drizzle with oil to prevent sticking.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender with 2 cups of the broth. Once slightly cooled, blend until smooth.
Pour the vegetable puree back into the broth and stir.
To serve, add the pastina to a bowl and pour the hot broth over it. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped parsley.

Italian Penicillin Soup

A warm, nourishing vegetable broth blended to silky perfection and served with tiny star pasta. This comforting soup is perfect for chilly days or when you’re feeling under the weather.

Time Required

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

8 cups vegetable broth
1 onion, peeled and quartered
¼ inch ginger
2 carrots, peeled
4 sticks celery, sliced in half
6 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt (omit if broth is salty)
1½ cups dry pastina (or other small pasta like orzo or mini shells)

To Serve

Freshly cracked black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped

Equipment

Soup pot
Pasta pot
High-speed blender or immersion blender

Instructions

Prepare the Broth – In a soup pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add onion, ginger, carrots, celery, garlic, and salt. Simmer for 25 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Cook the Pasta – While the broth is simmering, cook the pastina separately according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Blend the Vegetables – Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender with 2 cups of broth. Allow to cool slightly, then blend until smooth.
Combine and Serve – Pour the vegetable puree back into the soup pot, stirring well to combine. To serve, add cooked pastina to a bowl and ladle the broth over it.
Garnish and Enjoy – Sprinkle with fresh parsley and black pepper before serving.

Notes

Pasta Options – Use any small pasta, such as orzo, mini shells, or alphabet pasta.
Spice It Up – Add a chili or two to the broth for extra heat.
Customize – Swap carrots for pumpkin, add red lentils for protein, or stir in spinach for extra greens.
Creamy Version – Blend in coconut milk or a handful of cashews for a richer broth.
Pasta Quantity – Adjust the amount of pasta to your preference.