Italian Sausage Orzo Soup is your new favorite dinner! Packed with savory sausage, fresh veggies, and tender orzo, it’s a flavorful crowd-pleaser everyone will love.
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
It is satisfying to soup all year long—even in summer with corn soup!
Creamy soups are a reliable (hello, creamy vegetable!), but broth-based soups can be just as satisfying. Even better if I can load them with veggies and use up whatever’s in my fridge.
To create this recipe, I swapped the cream in my sausage potato soup for broth, added extra veggies, and tossed in pasta. The result? Perfection! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make Italian Sausage Orzo Soup:
- Base Veggies: Dice small and evenly for even cooking and better texture.
- Red Potatoes: No peeling needed. Baby gold potatoes work too!
- Italian Sausage: Use mild or hot, depending on how spicy you like it.
- Tomato Paste: Freeze leftovers in tablespoon-sized portions for later.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: These add extra flavor.
- Beef Broth: Pick a good brand for the best taste.
- Orzo: Cook it separately to keep it from getting mushy in leftovers.
- Baby Spinach: Add at the end to keep it fresh and bright.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated adds great flavor and texture
Quick Tip
Salt your pasta water! Use 1 teaspoon of salt for every 4 cups of water to make sure the orzo is evenly seasoned.
Variations
Switch Things Up!
- Protein Swap: Use ground turkey or chicken sausage. Add extra seasonings to compensate.
- Veggie-Packed: Add zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli for extra veggies.
- Pasta: Swap orzo for small pasta shapes like mini shells or pearl couscous.
- Spice It Up: Use spicy sausage or add cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Creamy Version: Add a splash of heavy cream for a creamy soup.
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe Tips
- Use Good Tomatoes: The better the quality, the better the flavor. Fire-roasted ones add even more flavor.
- Brown the Sausage Well: Don’t crowd the pot—this helps the sausage brown and adds flavor.
- Watch the Heat: If veggies brown too fast, lower the heat to keep them soft.
- Scrape the Pot: After cooking the sausage, scrape the bottom to get all the tasty bits.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste before serving and add salt or pepper if needed.
What to Serve with Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
- Crusty Bread: reliable for soaking up the broth.
- Simple Salad: A garden salad with a light dressing adds freshness.
- Winter Fruit Salad: A fresh, sweet side dish.
- Grilled Cheese: A gooey grilled cheese sandwich pairs evenly.
- Focaccia: Herby olive oil drenched bread is the best with this soup!
Storage
Storing Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
- Best Same Day: If orzo is added, the soup is best eaten the same day. (Orzo absorbs broth and gets mushy.)
- For Leftovers: Cook orzo separately and add it to bowls when serving. Soup stays fresh for 4-5 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: Freeze the soup without orzo and spinach. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add freshly cooked orzo before serving.
More Soup Recipes
- Creamy Ham and Potato Soup with corn
- Lentil Soup with fresh Parmesan cheese
- Chicken Vegetable Soup with roasted veggies
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup Olive Garden® copycat soup
- The best Vegetable Soup with fresh pesto
