Stracciatella alla Romana is a light brothy soup that is sometimes referred to as Italian egg drop soup. It’s easy to make with ingredients you usually have on hand — eggs, chicken stock, Parmesan cheese, and semolina. Stracciatella is also known as rag soup because straccetti means little rags and the egg mixture gives the appearance of little torn or shredded rags. It’s the type of soup like Gnocchi in Brodo that will satisfy you and your family every single time.
For this recipe, you will need: chicken stock, eggs, Parmesan cheese, pecorino cheese, nutmeg, semolina flour, fresh parsley, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, extra-virgin olive oil.
What is stracciatella soup?
- Stracciatella alla Romana is a peasant dish. You can find the ingredients in the poorest of homes.
- It’s a simple dish. Tired and hungry you can make the rag soup in less than 10 minutes.
- It’s a fortifying soup. One that satisfies and warms you from the inside out.
You’ll find many stracciatella recipes throughout the different regions in Italy but what’s basic is the broth, eggs, and cheese.
Many cultures have a version of egg drop soup. They use the soup to fortify tired bodies and souls and even as a natural cure-all. The Farmer’s Almanac even has a recipe called Cure-All Chicken Soup.
Mamma’s Miracle Rag Soup
My papà had an ulcer and in those days science hadn’t discovered that a virus was what caused it. Whenever his ulcer acted up, mamma would make stracciatella or pappa in brodo. The recipe for pappa in brodo was homemade bread cubes in homemade chicken broth.
And magically, whether it was a cold, flu or upset stomach, the eggy broth made us feel better.
This picture was taken soon after they were married. They were a perfect match!!
March the 8th is the International Day of Women and I can’t let the day pass without honoring her strength, her love, her passion for her family. She was wonderful and how she accomplished what she did never cease to amaze me.
Whenever I’m in the kitchen I think of all the happy hours I spent there with her and my papà. Mamma and I would be cooking and my papà would be sitting at the kitchen table reading his Italo-Americano — a newspaper published in the States written in Italian. He’d read it from the first page to the last. Every. Single. Word.
In fact, I sometimes feel like they’re still with me in the kitchen making sure I’m doing it right. 😉
Stracciatella Soup basics and variations
Although there are quite a few variations to an Italian egg drop soup, the ingredients for the stracciatella remains the same.
The basics for the Stracciatella soup recipe is:
- Chicken broth or stock
- Eggs — 1 egg for every 2 cups of broth
- Parmesan cheese
- Pepper
Italian Egg Drop Soup additions:
- Semolina — thickens the egg
- Parsley
- Spinach
- Nutmeg
- Cayenne
- Small pasta like ditalini or anellini
- Lemon
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Make this “your way” and to your taste. I promise you’ll love this stracciatella recipe!!
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima!
YOU MAY NEED…
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Stracciatella alla Romana A Classic Italian Egg Drop Soup
This lovely light egg drop soup is named after the egg mixture that forms little curds that look like torn rags – stracetti. It is the perfect soup when you’re too tired to cook or when you don’t want a hearty meal. The ingredients are inexpensive and ones you usually have on hand. The taste of stracciatella soup is anything but bland or unimpressive! Try it and you’ll love it as much as we do.
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Stracciatella Alla Romana Italian Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 tbsp semolina
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 1/4 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
- 2 1/4 tbsp Pecorino Romano Cheese
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring the chicken stock to a gentle boil. If the stock is unsalted, add 1/2 tsp. salt. Taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper. q.b. quanto basta (to taste) Do not boil the broth — just simmer.
- Whisk eggs, 2 tbsp parsley, semolina flour, grated parmesan, pecorino, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg together in a bowl until well blended.
- While stirring the simmering broth, slowly pour egg mixture into the broth. Bring the broth back up to a simmer. The soup will be cloudy at first but it will clear as the broth heats.
- Ladle into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes and the rest of the chopped parsley.
Nutrition
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Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Soup looks and sounds yummy! Enjoyed seeing the pic of your parents. Shared ♥
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Dee!
Susie says
Hi Marisa…..It’s raining and cool here in FH…..This soup sounds perfect for today! Thanks, for the inspiration and another good soup recipe…..Love the picture of your mom and dad😊
Susie says
Hi Marisa, This recipe flashes me back to when our mom made a similar noodle soup. As she tiled pan over broth, she would gently cut her egg mixture with knife and drop into broth. Her noodles were larger and had more texture. You can’t beat the comfort foods…..very satisfying. I plan to try this recipe…..Thanks
Marisa Franca says
You’re right, Susie! Honey talks about drop noodles all the time. I think he wants to try to duplicate it. Thank you for commenting. Love and hugs to all.
Dolores Pap says
Hi Marisa- this IS one of our favorite soups as well, though we typically add a whole lot more of spinach. I do like your recipe.. Quick, easy, and delicious.
I’ve never thickened my eggs with anything, so I am intrigued by your method of adding ‘semolina’ to the eggs, which gives more substance to the threads.
By ‘semolina’, you mean the coarse/gritty Cream of Wheat , or the fine, golden semolina flour that I buy from King Arthur to make my breads?
Thanks so much!
Dolores
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Dolores! I mean the fine, golden semolina flour that you get from KA or Bob’s Red Mill (I think that’s the name) The Cream of Wheat is what I use in my Gnocchi in brodo. It’s so cold here today I’m craving a nice hot bowl now!! Have a wonderful day.
Dolores Pap says
Hi Marissa! Thank you for the clarification.. I am looking forward to adjusting my recipe to make this into a more substantial soup
xoxo
Daisy says
By far my favorite soup! Thanks for the perfect recipe!
Natalie says
Egg drop soup…. Oh man I haven’t eat that like for AGES. I’m glad you reminded me of this delightful soup. I love your version and I can’t wait to try it.
Jenni LeBaron says
I love egg drop soup. It’s so simple but brings such great flavor and I love that you can mix the additions up depending on what you have in the house. Yum!
Denay DeGuzman says
What a flavorful Italian recipe! I love Chinese egg drop soup, so this wonderful recipe is perfect for me.
Veena Azmanov says
Oh my word Marisa, I just made an egg drop soup last week. The first soup since it started getting cooler. The kids enjoyed it too. I too love adding semolina as a thickener
Dan Zehr says
Extremely easy list of ingredients. That’s what I love. This sounds fantastic! Looks tasty! This recipe is perfect for me and my family. Thank you!
Mahy Elamin says
My family loves this soup! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I really like. THANK YOU!
Lauren Vavala says
I’ve heard of this soup before and feel like I must have had it at some point in my life, as I grew up in an Italian household. I’ll have to try this because I honestly can’t remember but it sounds really good!
Claudia Lamascolo says
wow does this ever bring back memories of my childhood. Mom always made this soup for me when I was a little under the weather. I can just smell it cooking reading your recipes and brought a fond tear to my eye. Amazing how your Region learned the same ways we did. This is perfect!
Sean@Diversivore says
Wonderful recipe, and a great little glimpse into your family’s history. As you point out, it’s so interesting that variations on an egg-drop-soup can be found all around the world. It guess it’s a versatile way to cook without too many ingredients! Love this version – it sounds both hearty and light all at once. Perfect for what ails you – or any reason at all!
Dana says
Pretty much every “poor man’s food” I’ve encountered has been oh-so-delicious and comforting. Which in my mind just solidifies the fact that simple really is better! A soup full of pantry staples is my jam, and this one sounds mad flavorful.
Carmy says
This looks lovely! I’ve never heard of or used semolina before so I’m looking forward to getting a bag and trying it out! I looooove soup but it can get too heavy in the winter. This looks like a lovely light soup for the summer.
Amanda says
Your recipes speak to my heart, Marisa! My grandmother made Stracciatella for me, and it’s one of the most warming and comforting dishes I can imagine. That little hint of nutmeg is such a perfect touch with the egg, semolina, and cheese. I have such a craving after reading your post! 🙂
Pam Greer says
I love egg drop soup from the Chinese takeout. I can’t believe I’ve never had this Italian version! Your recipe sounds so good and I love the photo of your mom and dad!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Pam!! It is a family favorite — and it is easy to make. I love that photo too.
Tina says
What a great story about your parents. Sorry your Dad suffered from ulcers, if only they knew then what they know now. The soup looks so comforting. I’m going to print it out for a sick day recipe since the ingredients are readily available and it looks easy to make. Thanks for sharing this and your family’s story.
Susie says
what a great post! I love how you write about your mama taking care of your papa! The soup seems So Satisfied and comforting. I am definitely pinning it for those cold winter days ahead
Lisa says
What a beautiful family story — it’s these precious moments spent doing ordinary things, but sharing them with the people that matter to you that make life special. It also seems that those ordinary but memorable times always happen in the kitchen… This soup sounds like the perfect soothing salve for whatever might ail you — whether physical or emotional wounds — beautifully written.
Teresa says
I’m anxious to try this! I love a Chinese egg drop soup and something tells me that I’m going to like this recipe much more! Thank you for sharing with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty!
Victoria says
This sounds so good and is pretty low carb which makes me happy.
Marisa Franca says
Hello, Victoria! It is low in carbs and so satisfying.
Karyl Henry says
I love getting egg drop soup at Chinese restaurants…I had no clue there’s an Italian version! This looks really delicious. Pinning this one too
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Karyl! Yes! There is an Italian version and this is it. It’s delicious!
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures says
What a gorgeous photo of your parents! Thank you for another lovely recipe. This one seems perfect for a quick dinner after a long day of work. With our little back yard flock of hens, I’m always looking for ways to use eggs. This soup will probably become a staple around here! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Marci! Lucky you!! Fresh eggs to make a delicious soup. I bet the eggs have that good old-fashioned taste we used to get. YUM!!
Veena Azmanov says
My mom made a chicken egg drop soup and it was my favorite as a kid. Now looking at this makes me wanna make this soon. Love all recipes that come down the generation.. always so comforting Love this Marisa. Lovely post.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Veena! Whenever I start feeling unwell I think of this soup. Perks me right up.
Michelle says
This is hands down one of my favorite soups. I haven’t made it in way too long and need to. I’ve never tried it with semolina for the egg – interesting add!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Michelle! It’s one of our favorites too. xoxo
Denise says
I had this soup at one point in my life and LOVED it! However I forgot about it. I like that it’s simple but so flavorful and that it’s so easy to make. I’m going to make this for lunch today. I don’t have any semolina, could I substitute something else or leave it out? I have some good homemade chicken broth to use too. Yum!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Denise! You could sub flour for the semolina. It would be a little looser but that’s okay. Let me know how it turns out. xoxo
Ciao Chow Linda says
I love your version of stracciatella, something my mother used to make also. It is a cure for what ails you. But I especially loved seeing your beautiful mamma and papà. Beautiful photo, recipe and memories.
Marisa Franca says
I think all of our mammas made this soup. It always made me feel better! Have a great weekend, Linda.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Linda! My parents certainly were special and when I think of them it really lifts my spirits. Ti auguro una Buona Pasqua. Un abbraccio forte.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
My mom made a version of this delicious soup. The noodles were more like dumplings…but we still called it drop egg noodle soup. Again…the simple recipes are sometimes the most delicious….and the perfect comfort food. Nothing beats a great homemade soup any day of the week.
Marisa Franca says
I agree with you, Gloria! I still crave this soup when I’m not feeling up to par. Have a great weekend.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Gloria! I agree nothing beats homemade soup especially the ones made by moms and grandmothers. I think it’s all the love they put into the soup.
Jolina says
I love the story behind this Marisa 🙂 Reminds me of the cure-all soup my grandma and my mom make. I love how everyone has their own magical soup recipe! And I cannot wait to try this. We had “warmer” weather last week but snow today so we definitely need this to ward of the sniffles as a result of the weird weather. Plus it just looks so delicious!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Jolina! I sure hope we start getting some decent weather soon. I think I’ll make some more stracciatella just in case it’s still chilly.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Jolina! Thank you! Frankly, I think every cuisine has their magical cure-all soup.
Chiara says
what a lovely couple your parents !Stracciatella brings me back to my childhood, I loved so much this soup ! Un grande abbraccio
Marisa Franca says
Grazie, Chiara!! They are so special — they’re the reason I started the blog. I wanted to remember them and it made me feel as if they were closer. Un abbraccio forte!
Lane | With Two Spoons says
I love all of the optional add ins! Delicious and satisfying!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Lane. You can make it as filling as you want but we like it simple!
Marcia Draft says
Love, love, love the photo of your parents! They are so beautiful/handsome and sooo Italian! Just printed out the recipe and will make it soon…and if I remember and it looks as pretty as yours, I’ll send a photo.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Marcia! Please do send me a picture! I’d love to see it. Have a wonderful day!xoxo
Jane @ Lit says
This is beautifully written – it’s a real tribute to your Mamma and Papà. The soup is lovely too – so simple yet delicious.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Jane! They were amazing parents.I hope you give the soup a try. xoxo
Jovina says
One of my favorite soups. Light and delicious. Perfect for spring.
Marisa Franca says
Sometimes the easiest soups are the best, especially when you’re hungry. Have a wonderful day, Jovina!!
Grammy Dee | Grammy's Grid says
YUM! Loved watching you make it on Facebook Live! Shared ♥
Marisa Franca says
Thank you!! I appreciate it. Posting the recipe today.