When you need a warm, comforting bowl of soup, this easy Italian Penicillin Soup recipe is one to keep in your back pocket. Made with tender vegetables, garlic, chicken broth, pastina, and whisked egg, it has a silky, creamy texture without using any cream at all.
Italian penicillin soup with egg is a simple, cozy recipe inspired by Italian egg-drop soups and the comforting pastina bowls so many of us grew up loving. It is easy enough for a quick weeknight dinner, gentle and comforting when you are under the weather, and made with inexpensive pantry staples.
If you love simple soup recipes like this one, try my Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup, Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup, or Easy White Lasagna Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach next.
Serve this homemade penicillin soup over acini di pepe, pastina, or another tiny pasta for a cozy meal that feels special with very little effort.
Other Soup Recipes To Try
Why You’ll Love This Italian Penicillin Soup
- It is an easy Italian penicillin soup recipe made with simple pantry ingredients.
- The blended vegetable broth becomes rich and creamy without dairy.
- Whisked eggs give the soup its signature silky texture.
- It is budget-friendly, cozy, and ready in about 35 minutes.
- You can serve it as a light dinner, easy lunch, or comforting soup for when you are sick.
Ingredients for Italian Penicillin Soup
This Italian penicillin soup recipe starts with onion, carrots, celery, and plenty of garlic simmered in chicken broth. Once the vegetables are soft, blending them creates a velvety soup base. Eggs are stirred into the hot broth for a delicate egg-drop texture, and pastina makes every bowl extra comforting.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4–6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 farm fresh eggs
- 1 cup pastina (or any small pasta)
How to Make Italian Penicillin Soup with Egg
Sauté the vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Simmer the broth
Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the turmeric, Italian seasoning, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.
Blend until smooth
Use an immersion blender to carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, let the soup cool slightly and blend in small batches. This is what gives the Italian penicillin soup its creamy texture without adding cream.
Add the eggs
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs well. Reduce the heat to low, then slowly drizzle the eggs into the soup while stirring continuously. The eggs will cook gently in the hot broth and create the silky texture that makes this Italian penicillin soup with egg so good.
Cook the pastina
While the soup simmers, cook the acini di pepe or pastina according to the package directions. Drain well.
Serve
Spoon the cooked pasta into bowls, then ladle the hot soup over the top. Finish each bowl with black pepper, grated Parmesan, or a drizzle of olive oil if you would like.
Tips for the Best Penicillin Soup Recipe
- Use a good-quality chicken broth because it is the backbone of the recipe.
- Blend the vegetables completely for the smoothest, creamiest broth.
- Whisk the eggs before adding them so they distribute evenly in the soup.
- Keep the pasta separate until serving so it does not soak up all the broth.
- Add cooked shredded chicken if you want a heartier Italian penicillin soup.
Easy Variations
Want to make this easy Italian penicillin soup your own? Try one of these simple additions:
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein.
- Stir in baby spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Add a Parmesan rind while the broth simmers, then remove it before blending.
- Use orzo, ditalini, stelline, or any small pasta you have on hand.
- Finish each bowl with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon.
Can You Freeze Italian Penicillin Soup?
Yes, you can freeze Italian penicillin soup, but freeze the blended broth base without the pasta or eggs for the best texture. Let the soup cool completely, transfer it to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to serve it, thaw and reheat the soup gently on the stove. Whisk in fresh eggs and cook fresh pastina just before serving. This keeps the pasta from becoming mushy and gives the soup its best silky texture
Italian Penicillin Soup (Creamy Egg Broth with Acini di Pepe)
This Italian penicillin soup is a creamy, nourishing comfort food made with garlic, vegetables, herbs, and a silky egg-infused broth served over acini di pepe pasta. Perfect for cold nights, sick days, or when you need something warm and healing.
- Prep Time: 10 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: Dinner, DINNER | SOUP, Lunch
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: Italian, ITALIAN INSPIRED
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 farm fresh eggs
- 1 cup acini di pepe (or other small pasta)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and add turmeric, Italian seasoning, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Reduce heat to low. Slowly crack in the eggs while stirring continuously (or whisk first and drizzle in) to create a silky texture.
- Cook acini di pepe separately according to package directions.
- Spoon pasta into bowls and ladle soup over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
- Blend thoroughly for the creamiest texture without adding dairy
- Stir constantly when adding eggs to prevent scrambling
- Cook pasta separately to avoid overly thick soup
- Add shredded chicken for extra protein if desired
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Italian penicillin soup?
Italian penicillin soup is a cozy homemade soup made with broth, garlic, vegetables, small pasta, and often egg. The name is a comforting nickname, similar to calling chicken soup “penicillin” when you need a warm bowl of soup.
Does Italian penicillin soup have egg in it?
This version does. The whisked egg is slowly stirred into the hot blended broth, creating a delicate, silky texture similar to an Italian egg-drop soup.
What pasta is best for Italian penicillin soup?
Pastina, acini di pepe, stelline, and orzo are all great choices. Any tiny pasta works well because it makes the soup easy to eat and soaks up the flavorful broth.
Can I make this penicillin soup recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Make the soup base up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. For the best texture, cook the pasta separately and add the eggs when you reheat the soup.
What is a good soup to make when you are sick?
A warm broth-based soup with vegetables and pasta, like this Italian penicillin soup, is an easy, comforting choice when you are not feeling your best.
Final Thoughts
This easy Italian Penicillin Soup is the kind of simple recipe you will want to make on repeat. The creamy blended vegetable broth, tender pastina, garlic, and silky egg make every bowl warm, cozy, and satisfying.
Whether you are looking for a homemade penicillin soup to make when someone is under the weather or simply need an easy dinner with pantry staples, this Italian penicillin soup recipe is always a good one to have ready.
