Description
This Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato broth. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it combines simple ingredients with aromatic herbs and fresh spinach to create a comforting and satisfying soup in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pot to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Sauté the vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, creating a flavor base for the soup.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, then add dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything together to incorporate the flavors.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, preparing the soup base for the orzo.
- Cook the orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the boiling soup. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender but not mushy.
- Add spinach and season: Stir in the fresh chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt from the residual heat. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finishing touch. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use spicy Italian sausage or increase the red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth or cook the soup a bit longer with the lid off.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free orzo pasta or substitute with rice or quinoa.
