Sausage Orzo Soup: A Delicious and Easy Comfort Food Recipe
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Are you tired of the same old dinner routine? Do you find yourself stuck making the same few recipes week after week? It’s easy to fall into a dinner rut, especially when life gets busy. Finding the time and energy to try something new can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m passionate about creating recipes that use simple, readily available ingredients – ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator. This Sausage Orzo Soup recipe is designed to help you break free from your dinner rut and introduce a flavorful and satisfying dish into your meal rotation.
This Sausage Orzo Soup is a fantastic and flavorful meal that comes together quickly and easily. Combining pantry staples with the delightful addition of orzo pasta and savory Italian sausage creates a comforting and delicious experience. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something warm, hearty, and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. This soup is not only incredibly tasty, but it’s also surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a go-to recipe for busy families and anyone looking for a fuss-free dinner option.
The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity. It utilizes common ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store and are often already stocked in your pantry. This means you can whip up a batch of Sausage Orzo Soup with minimal planning and effort. The combination of savory sausage, tender orzo pasta, and flavorful broth creates a symphony of tastes that will tantalize your taste buds. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables, making it a nutritious and well-rounded meal.
Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal on a chilly evening or a quick and easy dinner solution for a busy weeknight, this Sausage Orzo Soup is sure to become a new family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, grab your favorite pot, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of warm, flavorful, and satisfying soup that will leave you feeling nourished and content.
Ingredients for Sausage Orzo Soup
This hearty and comforting Sausage Orzo Soup combines pantry staples like onion, pasta, and canned tomatoes with the delicious flavors of Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and creamy half and half. The result is a satisfying and slightly different soup that is sure to become a regular in your meal planning. Here’s a complete list of everything you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Yellow onion
- Italian sausage
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Chicken broth
- Canned petite diced tomatoes
- Dry orzo pasta
- Fresh spinach
- Half and half
- Parmesan cheese
Let’s break down why each of these ingredients is crucial to the success of your Sausage Orzo Soup:
- Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing the aromatics and sausage. Olive oil adds a subtle richness and helps to develop the initial flavors of the soup.
- Minced Garlic: Garlic is a powerhouse of flavor, adding a pungent and savory note to the soup. It’s best to use fresh minced garlic for the most intense aroma and taste.
- Yellow Onion: Diced yellow onion provides a foundational sweetness and savory depth to the soup. It softens and mellows as it cooks, creating a flavor base that complements the other ingredients.
- Italian Sausage: The star of the show! Italian sausage brings a savory, slightly spicy, and intensely flavorful element to the soup. You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference. Remove the sausage from its casings for easier browning and distribution in the soup.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs adds a classic Italian flavor profile to the soup. It typically includes oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can create your own blend by combining these individual herbs.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor of the soup. Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your personal preference.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid base of the soup. Chicken broth adds depth of flavor and provides a comforting warmth. You can use store-bought chicken broth or homemade chicken stock.
- Canned Petite Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add a touch of acidity, sweetness, and vibrant color to the soup. Petite diced tomatoes are preferable as they blend more easily into the soup and don’t require additional chopping.
- Dry Orzo Pasta: Orzo pasta, also known as risoni, is a small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and adds a delightful texture to the soup. It absorbs the flavorful broth as it cooks, creating a satisfying and comforting dish.
- Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach adds a boost of nutrients, vibrant color, and a slightly earthy flavor to the soup. It wilts down quickly when added to the hot broth, making it a simple and convenient addition.
- Half and Half: A touch of half and half adds a creamy richness to the soup, creating a velvety texture and enhancing the overall flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch for Sausage Orzo Soup. It adds a salty, savory, and slightly nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
How to Make Delicious Sausage Orzo Soup
Making this Sausage Orzo Soup is incredibly easy! Follow these simple steps for a comforting and flavorful meal:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the garlic, onion, and sausage. I really love to make soup with ground meat because it’s so easy. You just cook it right in the pot with everything else and don’t have to shred anything! I like to use this vegetable chopperto chop everything up super fast and easily.
- Brown the Sausage and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the Italian sausage (removed from its casings) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Grease (Optional): You can soak up some of the grease from the Italian sausage with a paper towel. I like to cover a spatula with a paper towel and blot at the pot to soak up the grease. This step is optional but can help to reduce the overall fat content of the soup.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Next, add in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta to the simmering soup. Stir well and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach. Cover the pot and let the spinach wilt down for about 2 minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and stir in the half and half.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the Sausage Orzo Soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the warmth and deliciousness of this comforting soup!
Looking for More Easy Soup Recipes?
My family loves soup, especially during the cooler months! I love it because it’s a simple way to make a satisfying meal, it only dirties one pot, and it always tastes great. I have a ton of delicious and easy soup recipes on my blog. Here are a few of my favorites that I think you’ll enjoy:
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Soup: This creamy and flavorful soup is a crowd-pleaser! The slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to prepare, and the combination of chicken, cream cheese, and ranch dressing is simply irresistible.
Chicken Tortilla Soup: A classic soup packed with flavor! This version is made in the slow cooker for ultimate convenience. Top with your favorite toppings like tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, and cheese for a complete meal.
White Chicken Lasagna Soup: This unique and delicious soup combines the flavors of lasagna with the convenience of a one-pot meal. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with chicken and lasagna noodles – a truly comforting and satisfying dish.
36 votes
Sausage Orzo Soup
Julia Pacheco
10
minutes
20
minutes
30
minutes
4
servings
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