Italian Penicillin Soup Casserole
Shruthi
This Italian Penicillin Soup Casserole takes all the healing, comforting flavors of the classic soup — chicken, lemon, herbs, and pasta — and turns them into a creamy, cheesy baked dish. It’s cozy, nutritious, and perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 43 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4
Calories 370 kcal
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 2 cups cooked small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or small shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Saute vegetables: In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and spinach (or kale). Cook until softened.
Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cooked pasta, sautéed veggies, lemon zest, lemon juice, cream soup, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and half of the cheese. Stir until well combined.
Assemble: Pour mixture into the casserole dish and spread evenly.
Top: Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Add extra lemon juice for a brighter, tangier flavor.
- For a creamy texture, mix in ½ cup of sour cream or ricotta.
- Substitute cream of chicken soup with homemade white sauce if preferred.
- Try topping with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan for a crunchy finish.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld together.
Keyword baked pasta, chicken casserole, classic comfort food, Italian casserole, penicillin soup