Description
This Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup is a comforting Italian-inspired soup made with savory Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and vibrant spinach, all simmered in a flavorful tomato and herb broth. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal, it combines the warmth of a classic soup with the unique texture of orzo and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 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 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Pasta and Greens
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the sausage and vegetables.
- Cook the sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain any excess fat to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook and stir until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes, which helps to develop the soup’s base flavor.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil to blend all flavors together.
- Cook the orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the boiling soup and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender but still holds its shape.
- Incorporate spinach: Stir in the fresh chopped spinach and cook until wilted, which will take just a few minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor. Enjoy your warm, hearty bowl of Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup!
Notes
- You can use either mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, use turkey sausage instead of pork.
- If you prefer a vegetarian variant, replace sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Orzo can be substituted with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or ditalini.
- This soup stores well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Adding Parmesan cheese at serving time prevents it from melting too much and keeps its flavor fresh.
