Description
This Italian Sausage Orzo Soup is rich, cozy, and full of flavor. Made with savory Italian sausage, tender orzo, vegetables, and a lightly creamy tomato broth, it’s the perfect comfort soup for busy weeknights or chilly evenings.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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12 ounces mild Italian sausage, ground or casings removed
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1/4 cup red wine, divided
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1/2 red onion, diced
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1 leek, chopped (white and light green parts only)
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1/2 cup chopped carrots
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1/2 cup diced celery
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1 small zucchini, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon kosher salt or seasoned salt
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1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices
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3 cups chicken broth
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3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
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1 cup fresh spinach, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup half-and-half
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Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, for garnish
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Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 5 minutes.
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Pour in a splash of the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
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Add the onion, leek, carrots, celery, zucchini, and garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes, until softened.
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Stir in the remaining wine, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook until the liquid reduces slightly.
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Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 15 minutes.
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While the soup simmers, cook the orzo in a separate pot according to package directions. Drain.
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Stir the cooked orzo into the soup, then add the spinach and half-and-half. Mix until the spinach wilts.
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Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
Cooking the orzo separately helps prevent the soup from becoming too thick.
Leftovers will thicken overnight; add a splash of broth when reheating.
Spicy Italian sausage can be used for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg