Best Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort Days

Hearty Italian sausage orzo soup brings warmth and comfort to chilly evenings with its robust Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Rich and satisfying, this dish combines tender meat, delicate pasta, and vibrant vegetables in a soul-nourishing broth.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of textures and aromas that dance across your palate.

The soup rustic charm stems from its simple yet harmonious ingredients that meld together effortlessly.

Perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying, this recipe redefines humble components into a culinary masterpiece that feels both familiar and exciting.

Nutritious and filling, the soup offers a complete meal that will energize and delight you.

You’ll find yourself craving this comforting bowl that speaks to the heart of home cooking.

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup That Warms from the Inside

• Savor Hearty Flavor Explosion: This Italian sausage orzo soup bursts with rich, bold tastes that dance across your palate, blending spicy sausage with tender vegetables and creamy textures.
• Whip Up Effortless Comfort: The recipe offers a simple, straightforward cooking method that even novice home chefs can master, requiring only basic kitchen skills and minimal prep time.
• Customize Your Culinary Experience: Easily adaptable soup allows for personal tweaks like adding spinach, adjusting seasonings, or swapping ingredients to match your dietary preferences and mood.
• Create Cozy Meal-in-One Solution: Packed with protein, vegetables, and pasta, this soup transforms into a complete meal that satisfies hunger and provides wholesome nutrition in a single delightful bowl.

What Goes Into a Hearty Sausage Orzo Soup

• Italian Sausage: Rich, flavorful base that adds depth and protein to the soup, choose a mild or spicy variety based on preference.

• Onion, Celery: Classic soup foundation that provides subtle sweetness and texture, fresh and crisp produce works best.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor that enhances overall soup complexity, use fresh cloves for strongest taste.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the primary liquid and flavor profile, opt for low-sodium version for better control of saltiness.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity, brightness, and rich tomato flavor, canned variety provides consistent texture.
• Heavy Cream: Brings luxurious creaminess and smoothness to the soup, ensures a velvety mouthfeel.

• Dried Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herb notes, enhances overall Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Orzo: Small pasta that adds heartiness and substance, cooks quickly and absorbs soup flavors.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other ingredients, adjust to personal taste preference.

• Baby Spinach: Provides fresh, green color and nutritional boost, wilts beautifully into the soup.

• Flour: Helps create a slightly thicker, more substantial soup texture.

How to Make Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Easily

Step 1: Brown The Sausage

Heat a large soup pot over medium-high temperature. Crumble Italian sausage into the pot and cook until golden brown. Transfer meat to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving one tablespoon of drippings.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Diced celery

Sauté until vegetables become soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Develop Flavor Base

• Minced garlic
• All-purpose flour

Stir continuously for one minute to prevent burning and create a rich foundation.

Step 4: Build Soup Liquid

• Chicken broth
• Canned tomatoes with juice
• Dried oregano
• Browned sausage

Bring mixture to a gentle boil over high heat.

Step 5: Cook Pasta

• Orzo pasta
• Heavy cream

Simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta reaches tender consistency.

Step 6: Finish And Garnish

Stir in fresh spinach leaves just before serving. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7: Serve Soup

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Pair with crusty bread for a complete meal. Enjoy immediately while warm.

Tips to Keep Orzo Perfect and Sausage Flavorful

• Master Sausage Browning: Ensure deep flavor development by letting sausage create a golden-brown crust without burning, which releases rich caramelized notes into the soup.
• Prevent Orzo Clumping: Stir frequently during cooking to keep pasta grains separate and evenly distributed, avoiding sticky or mushy textures.
• Vegetable Precision: Chop onions and celery uniformly for consistent cooking and balanced flavor absorption throughout the soup.
• Flour Integration Technique: Thoroughly mix flour with fat and vegetables before adding liquid to create a smooth, lump-free base that thickens the soup naturally.
• Spinach Selection: Add fresh spinach at the last moment to maintain vibrant color, nutrients, and prevent wilting, creating a bright, fresh finish to the hearty soup.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat This Orzo Soup

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing if using cream or spinach, as texture might change.
• Reheat: Warm soup slowly in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating.

Foods That Go Well with Sausage Orzo Soup

• Rustic Bread Companion: Grab a hearty, crusty Italian bread like ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the rich, savory broth, enhancing the soup's robust flavors and adding a delightful textural contrast.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complements the spicy Italian sausage and cuts through the creamy soup with its balanced acidity.
• Crisp Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts to balance the soup's richness and provide a fresh, zesty counterpoint.
• Herb-Infused Beverage Boost: Serve a refreshing rosemary-infused sparkling water or iced tea to cleanse the palate between bites and highlight the soup's herbal undertones.

Ingredient Swaps to Try in This Sausage Soup

• Spicy Kick Variation: Replace traditional Italian sausage with hot or spicy Italian sausage for an extra heat boost. Enhance the flavor profile by adding red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños during cooking.
• Mediterranean Garden Soup: Swap spinach with chopped kale or Swiss chard. Incorporate roasted red peppers and add a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Substitute Italian sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or cooked white beans. Include additional vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and maintain robust flavor.
• Creamy Mushroom Fusion: Sauté sliced mushrooms alongside onions and celery. Use a mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms to create a deeper, earthier undertone. Consider adding a splash of white wine for complexity.

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian sausage orzo soup delivers comfort and flavor in one satisfying bowl. Packed with savory sausage, tender vegetables, and perfectly cooked orzo, this Mediterranean-inspired dish brings warmth and richness to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) Italian sausage

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Remaining Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounces/794 grams) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup (190 grams) uncooked orzo
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy/whipping cream
• 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. In a spacious soup pot, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high temperature, continuously stirring until fully cooked and developing a rich caramelized exterior.
2. Transfer the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving a thin layer of rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
3. Introduce chopped onions and celery into the pot, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Sprinkle flour and incorporate minced garlic, creating a fragrant base while gently stirring to prevent scorching.
5. Methodically pour chicken broth into the mixture, ensuring smooth integration and eliminating any potential flour lumps.
6. Incorporate canned tomatoes, dried oregano, and return the previously cooked sausage to the pot, elevating the heat to trigger a gentle boiling process.
7. Carefully add orzo and cream, reducing temperature to maintain a consistent simmer and stirring periodically to prevent ingredient adhesion.
8. Continue cooking until orzo reaches optimal tenderness, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of careful monitoring.
9. For added vibrancy, gently fold fresh spinach into the soup moments before serving.
10. Harmonize flavors with strategic salt and pepper seasoning, tasting and adjusting to personal preference.
11. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, optionally accompanied by crusty bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Customize your soup’s thickness by adjusting chicken broth quantity for desired consistency.
• Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the soup’s flavor profile dramatically when sprinkled just before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 486
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg