The Cozy Bowl You’ll Want All Season

When the weather starts to cool down, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup. And once cold and flu season rolls around, comforting recipes become even more appealing. This Gluten-Free Italian Penicillin Soup is exactly the kind of recipe to keep in your back pocket: warm, nourishing, satisfying, and packed with tender chicken, vegetables, Parmesan, and tiny gluten-free pasta.

The name may sound like something you’d pick up at a pharmacy, but there’s no actual penicillin involved! “Italian Penicillin” is a modern nickname for comforting Italian-style chicken and pastina soup—the kind of simple, soothing food associated with being cared for when you’re feeling under the weather. Similar Italian soups are rooted in the tradition of pastina in brodo, tiny pasta cooked in broth and often finished with Parmesan. 

Our version takes that cozy idea and makes it a little heartier, with chicken, carrots, celery, garlic, creamy blended vegetables, and Mountain High Organics Gluten-Free Ditalini.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Penicillin Soup

A cozy, comforting bowl for chilly days

This is the soup to make when you want something that feels like a warm blanket in a bowl. The savory chicken broth, tender vegetables, tiny pasta, and Parmesan create layers of comforting flavor without making the soup feel heavy.

And because the vegetables are partially blended into the broth, the soup gets a wonderfully silky texture while still retaining plenty of tender vegetables and shredded chicken.

What Is Italian Penicillin Soup?

A modern take on classic Italian comfort food

Italian Penicillin Soup is closely related to pastina in brodo, a traditional Italian preparation of tiny pasta served in broth. Pastina means “little pasta,” and small shapes such as ditalini, stelline, or acini di pepe are commonly used. 

The nickname “Italian Penicillin” comes from the soup’s association with comfort and feeling better when you’re sick or simply run down. Much like American chicken noodle soup, Italian pastina soup has long been associated with home cooking and being cared for. 

There isn’t one single traditional recipe for Italian Penicillin Soup. Modern versions vary quite a bit. Some are very simple, with little more than broth, pastina, and Parmesan, while others add chicken and vegetables. 

That flexibility is part of the charm.

A Gluten-Free Twist on a Classic Comfort Soup

Tiny pasta makes this soup extra special

One of the best parts of this recipe is the Mountain High Organics Gluten-Free Ditalini. Ditalini are small tubes of pasta that are perfect for soup because they’re easy to spoon up with the broth, chicken, and vegetables.

The pasta also gives the soup substance, turning it from a light broth into a satisfying meal.

The recipe uses 1 cup of Mountain High Organics Gluten-Free Ditalini and cooks it directly in the soup according to the package directions.

What You’ll Need

Simple ingredients, big comfort-food flavor

You don’t need a long list of specialty ingredients to make this soup. The flavor starts with a classic combination of onion, carrots, celery, and garlic sautéed in olive oil. Then chicken broth, chicken breasts, thyme, bay leaves, and an optional Parmesan rind build the savory base.

You’ll also need:

• Mountain High Organics Gluten-Free Ditalini
• Fresh lemon juice
• Freshly grated Parmesan
• Fresh Italian parsley
• Lemon wedges for serving

The lemon may seem like a small finishing touch, but don’t skip it. That little bit of acidity brightens the rich broth and Parmesan and keeps the soup tasting fresh rather than heavy.

How to Make Italian Penicillin Soup

Let the vegetables do double duty

First, the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic are sautéed until they begin to soften and develop a little color. This quick step builds a flavorful foundation for the broth.

Next, chicken broth, chicken breasts, Parmesan rind, thyme, and bay leaves go into the pot. The chicken gently simmers until it reaches 165°F, which keeps it tender while also infusing the broth with flavor.

Here’s where this soup gets particularly interesting: about two-thirds of the cooked vegetables are blended with some of the broth until completely smooth, then returned to the pot. This creates a naturally creamy, velvety broth without adding cream.

Finally, the shredded chicken and gluten-free ditalini go back into the soup. Lemon juice and Parmesan finish everything off.

Why Blend the Vegetables?

It’s the secret to the soup’s cozy texture

Blending some of the vegetables into the broth does more than sneak extra vegetables into every spoonful. It also gives the soup body.

Rather than having a thin broth with vegetables floating in it, you get a soup that’s slightly thicker and more substantial. This technique is also found in contemporary versions of Italian Penicillin Soup, where blended vegetables give the broth a smooth, velvety texture. (Food Network)

Don’t worry about making the vegetables perfectly uniform when chopping them. Since most of them are going into the blender, rustic chopping is perfectly fine.

Tips for the Best Gluten-Free Italian Penicillin Soup

A few easy tricks make a big difference

Cook the chicken gently. Keep the broth at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil. This helps the chicken stay tender.

Don’t skip the Parmesan rind. It’s optional, but if you have one available, add it to the broth. It brings savory depth and umami to the soup.

Blend carefully. Hot liquids can expand in a blender. Let the vegetable mixture cool for several minutes before blending, and follow your blender manufacturer’s instructions for blending hot foods. The recipe specifically calls for cooling the mixture briefly before blending.

Stir the pasta frequently. Gluten-free pasta can stick together as it cooks, so give the soup regular stirs while the ditalini are cooking.

Finish with lemon. The fresh lemon juice adds just enough acidity to balance the chicken broth, Parmesan, and vegetables.

Don’t forget the Parmesan. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan on each bowl takes this soup from good to seriously comforting.

Is Italian Penicillin Soup Actually a Cure for a Cold?

Think comfort, not medicine

Despite its nickname, Italian Penicillin Soup isn’t medicine and doesn’t contain penicillin. The name is a playful comparison to the way chicken soup is often associated with comfort when you’re feeling under the weather.

What this soup can do is provide a warm, satisfying meal when your appetite isn’t at its best. The broth, chicken, vegetables, pasta, and Parmesan make it an especially comforting choice during cold weather and cold and flu season.

And sometimes, a steaming bowl of soup is exactly what you want when you’re curled up on the couch with a blanket.

Can You Make This Soup Ahead?

A little planning makes leftovers easy

You can make the soup ahead, although the gluten-free ditalini will continue absorbing broth as it sits. If you know you’ll have leftovers, you may want to keep a little extra gluten-free chicken broth on hand to thin the soup when reheating.

For the best texture, reheat gently and add a splash of broth if needed.

What to Serve with Italian Penicillin Soup

Keep the sides simple

This soup is hearty enough to serve as a meal on its own, especially with the chicken and pasta. If you want to add something alongside it, keep it simple.

Try it with:

• A crisp green salad
• Gluten-free garlic bread
• Roasted vegetables
• A simple gluten-free Italian loaf
• Extra Parmesan and lemon wedges

Frequently Asked Questions

The Last Bite

When the temperature drops and cold and flu season arrives, this is the kind of recipe worth having in your collection. Gluten-Free Italian Penicillin Soup is warm, comforting, filling, and easy enough to make without turning dinner into a project.

The silky vegetable-enriched broth, tender shredded chicken, tiny gluten-free ditalini, Parmesan, and bright squeeze of lemon come together in a bowl that feels wonderfully old-fashioned in the best possible way.

Whether you’re actually feeling under the weather or simply craving a cozy bowl of soup on a chilly evening, this Italian-inspired comfort food is ready to deliver.