Italian Penicillin Soup (Pastina Soup)

Warm, soothing, and nourishing, this Italian Penicillin Soup, also known as pastina soup, is the ultimate comfort when you’re feeling under the weather. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients and homemade chicken broth, it’s a timeless remedy straight from the heart of the Italian kitchen.

Are you in the mood for another cozy Italian soup recipe? Try my authentic Italian pasta e fagioli next.

Why you’ll love this family favorite!

This recipe takes me back to my childhood, as many young children in Italy grow up with this nostalgic, soul-warming soup. My nonna and mamma made this pastina whenever we were sick, sad, or just needed comfort. One warm spoonful, and everything felt better. I do the same for my children now, and the tradition continues.

This simple pastina soup will warm you up from the inside out during the colder months or any time of year.

For more comforting meals, I highly recommend this creamy Parmesan rice and fregola sarda pasta as well.

Made With AmorE,

Simple Ingredients

This pastina soup is made with simple and wholesome ingredients.

• Pastina Pasta: This can be any small pasta you have on hand. Some of my favorites are Barilla Pastina, a tiny star-shaped pasta, this Italian pasta brand which is stars with a slightly different shape, Acini di Pepe, a little bead-shaped pasta, and Farfalline, super tiny bowtie pasta that my nonna used often.
• Whole Chicken: Italian penicillin soup is a great way to use your leftover chicken carcass from your Sunday dinner of roasted whole chicken. To make a lighter broth, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or any other chicken you have on hand. You can also use a homemade vegetable broth or store-bought veggie stock if you want to make a vegetarian pastina soup.
• Seasonings for Broth: Aromatics like onion, celery, and carrot lay the foundation while bay leaf, thyme, and a bit of sea salt enhance the flavor. For even more flavor you can add a Parmesan rind to add a deeper savory element. Also, feel free to keep the vegetables used to cook the broth and add them to the soup right at the end.
• For Serving: A generous sprinkle of Parmigiano, black pepper, and olive oil.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Pastina Soup Variations

This recipe is the traditional pastina soup recipe with homemade chicken broth. If you want to try homemade Italian penicillin soup with a few twists, you can try these the next time you make it.

• Fresh Herbs: Add your favorite herbs, such as oregano and rosemary, to the broth as it cooks. And for extra flavor, you can use them as a garnish on your bowl of soup. You can also add a pinch of my homemade Italian seasoning.
• Greens: Add spinach, mustard greens, Swiss chard, or kale and cook until tender. Like in my Italian beans and greens, greens add some color and nutrition.
• Chicken: Add shredded chicken to the pastina soup at the end of cooking. You can use leftovers from baked chicken thighs or baked chicken breasts.
• Lemon juice: My nonna often added a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the soup. I still do this with my soup.
• Pastina with Egg: This version of pastina soup brings back memories—my mother often added eggs for extra protein, especially when we were under the weather. To try it, scramble 1–2 eggs per person and stir them into the hot broth at the end, like an Italian-style egg drop soup.

How To Make Italian Penicillin Soup

Making your homemade chicken broth for pastina soup is easy! You dump the ingredients in a stock pot, let it boil, then strain the broth. The extra time is worth the effort to make a rich broth for the pasta soup.

1. Place all chicken broth ingredients in a large pot, soup kettle, or Dutch oven. Cover with water just enough so all ingredients are submerged. Bring to a boil on high heat. After it boils for a few minutes, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours. Skim the foam from the top as necessary as the broth cooks.

2. Strain the broth through a colander or sieve. Discard the vegetables and herbs.

3. Bring 6 cups of homemade chicken broth to a boil. Add the pastina pasta and boil for 3-4 minutes or until al dente. Use the package directions as guidance.

4. Serve each bowl of Italian penicillin soup with freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, freshly ground black pepper to taste, and a good drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy a slice of soft Italian bread. 

The small size of pastina makes it an excellent filler for many Italian soups. Try it in our avgolemono soup recipe, leftover turkey soup, or Vitamix tomato soup.

If you love this Italian penicillin soup, then you will also enjoy our chicken orzo soup!

Recipe FAQ’s

Storage & Reheating

• Broth: You can store the chicken broth or stock in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for months.
• Prepared Soup: Store the fully prepared soup in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Add the leftovers to a small pot over low heat until the broth and pasta are warm enough for your liking. Add more broth as needed because the pasta likely will absorb it while being stored in the fridge. If reheating just the broth, bring it to a boil, then add the pastina, and cook until al dente.

Serving Suggestions

This soup is popular in Italy as a remedy when you’re feeling under the weather. So simple sides such as crackers, a slice of homemade ciabatta bread, or sourdough rye bread are all you need.

Italian penicillin soup also makes a comforting soup that you can enjoy anytime. It’s light enough for the summer, but also perfect for warming up in cooler weather. It’s easy to turn it into a full meal. Enjoy it as a starter to a simple main dish of tarragon chicken and Italian potato salad.

Pair it with prosciutto and melon or pear gorgonzola salad for a light lunch or dinner.

More Italian Soup Recipes

BEST Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe with Bacon, Potato, and Kale

Classic Italian Minestrone Soup Recipe (Authentic)

Italian Wedding Soup

Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta with Chickpea Soup)

💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.