Description
Sausage and Orzo Soup is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired soup featuring savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, and fresh vegetables in a rich chicken broth. This comforting stovetop soup combines aromatic garlic, onion, carrot, celery, and spinach for a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz Italian sausage, sliced or crumbled
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Place a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Allow it to warm up to prepare for cooking the sausage and vegetables.
- Cook the sausage: Add the sliced or crumbled Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook these together until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Mix in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release its aroma.
- Add chicken broth and bring to boil: Pour in the chicken broth and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Add orzo and seasoning: Stir in the orzo pasta and Italian seasoning, then reduce the heat to a simmer to cook the pasta properly.
- Simmer until tender: Let the soup simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
- Add spinach and wilt: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until it is just wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Use turkey sausage as a leaner alternative for a lighter soup.
- Add diced zucchini or fresh tomatoes for extra vegetables and texture.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
