Stracciatella alla Romana (Roman Egg Drop Soup)
Local name: Stracciatella alla romana
In short: Rags of egg, Parmigiano and nutmeg stirred into simmering broth for a silky Roman soup. Ready in 15 minutes and very comforting. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 125 kcal
Stracciatella means little rags, which describes the strands of egg that form when a mixture of beaten egg, Parmigiano Reggiano and a pinch of semolina meets simmering broth. It is one of Rome's simplest soups and a favorite for Sunday lunch, for winter evenings and for anyone who feels under the weather. The result is only as good as the broth, so use a well-flavored homemade or good-quality one, and add the egg slowly while stirring.
Instructions
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer in a medium pot and season with salt if needed.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the Parmigiano Reggiano, semolina, parsley, nutmeg, pepper and 4 tablespoons of cold broth or water until well blended.
- Reduce the heat so the broth is barely bubbling. Pour in the egg mixture in a thin stream while stirring slowly with a fork, so it sets into small, soft strands.
- Cook for 2 minutes, without boiling hard, until the egg is just set. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
- Ladle into warm bowls and serve at once with extra Parmigiano Reggiano.
Tips
- Keep the broth at a very gentle simmer. A hard boil breaks the egg into tiny crumbs and makes the soup cloudy.
- Add a handful of baby spinach leaves to the broth for the last minute for a green stracciatella, or serve the soup with small toasted croutons.
Questions and answers
Is stracciatella soup the same as egg drop soup?
They are similar, but stracciatella includes cheese and nutmeg and is based on a meat broth. Chinese egg drop soup is thickened with starch and flavored with ginger and white pepper.
Can I make stracciatella with vegetable broth?
Yes, if you use a rich, well-seasoned vegetable broth. The soup will taste lighter than one made with meat broth, so add an extra pinch of nutmeg and cheese.
Can I make stracciatella ahead?
Make the broth ahead and finish the soup just before serving. The egg strands turn rubbery if the soup sits for long or is reheated.
How long does it take to make Stracciatella alla Romana (Roman Egg Drop Soup)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Stracciatella alla Romana (Roman Egg Drop Soup)?
About 125 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 125 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
