Easy, delicious, and healing comfort food Pastina soup is traditionally made with small pasta shapes, carrots, celery, and onions cooked in a rich chicken broth. Known as Italian penicillin soup, this version is boosted even more with the addition of garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and ginger.

I love simple foods and natural remedies. This classic Italian Pastina soup is full of nourishing, simple ingredients to help you recover when you’re feeling under the weather.

Reminiscent of Italian chicken noodle soup, it’s one of my favorite recipes when we’re feeling under the weather… right beside our favorite Amish chicken and noodles.

Ready in 20 minutes, I love to use our homemade canned chicken bone broth in this delicious soup to add some homemade goodness on top of a very simple recipe.

And while traditional Pastina is blended, this is not, to make it even easier to make with fewer steps. Just sautee, boil the pasta in the broth, and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a truly comforting soup when you have a cold, or just need to warm up.

Ingredients for Italian Penicillin Soup

Find measurements and complete instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Chicken Stock or Broth – I prefer homemade chicken broth, but quality, low-sodium storebought works, too.

Olive Oil – to saute.

Carrots, Celery, and Onion – diced, these all add some additional flavor to the broth.

Garlic – to add some flavor as well as antioxidant and antiviral properties.

Ginger – for a little anti-nausea and some antioxidant affects.

Crushed Red Pepper – provides anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties.

Lemon Juice – a great source of vitamin C, it is also a natural expectorant and helps reduce mucous.

Oregano – for flavor and immune-boosting properties, you can also use other fresh herbs (or dried) such as thyme or parsley, or a mixture of all.

Pastina pasta – meaning “small pasta” in Italian Pastina is pasta in the shape of little stars. However, any tiny pasta shape you have on hand will do. Usually, I use orzo because we have it on hand, but alphabet pasta or other small pasta will do.

Parmigiano Reggiano – typically served with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmigiano reggiano, it adds a touch of extra flavor to this delicious soup.

Chicken – optional, but if you have some leftover chicken, you can add it in with the pasta and cook it all together. This is a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, too.

Pastina Soup Recipe

In a large pot, warm up olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the onion and celery and allow them to soften, next add in garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper sauteeing until fragrant. Lastly, add in the carrots and sautee an additional minute.

Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, add in Pastina of choice, diced chicken (if using), oregano, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Reduce heat and simmer for 9 minutes, or until pasta is cooked to al dente.

Turn off the heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve hot in your favorite soup bowl with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Storing Leftover Italian Pastina Soup

This soup keeps fairly well for a few days, but cooked Pastina will soak up a lot of the broth. My kids like it that way, but if you don’t the easiest way to have firm pasta and broth is to add the pasta in as needed by cooking it in broth when ready to serve.

Refrigerator: cool and store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat to boiling on the stove, if you haven’t added pasta, you can add some now and let it cook.

Freezer: cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. For best results, do not freeze it with the pasta in it, thaw and bring it to a boil, then add in the pasta and cook to al dente.

Other Comforting Remedies to Try:

• Traditional Homemade Fire Cider Recipe
• Homemade Cough Syrup – Natural Remedy for Cough
• Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup

If you try this Pastina soup recipe, I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below! Also, I’d love if you could leave me a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recipe review on the recipe card below. If you want more recipe inspiration, make sure to follow me on Facebook or Pinterest!