Description
A comforting and hearty Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup, featuring Italian sausage, tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and spinach in a flavorful tomato-based broth, garnished with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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 (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
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 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 the base for cooking the sausage and vegetables.
- Cook the sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it into crumbles. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain any excess fat to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add diced onion, minced garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook and stir until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, which helps develop flavor and tenderize them.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, dried oregano, dried basil, and optional red pepper flakes for spice. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil to combine flavors.
- Cook the orzo: Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but still al dente.
- Incorporate spinach and season: Stir in the fresh chopped spinach and cook just until wilted. Season the soup with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your preferred heat level.
- Drain excess fat after cooking the sausage to keep the broth light and clean-tasting.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a pleasant kick to the soup.
- Orzo cooks quickly; avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Fresh spinach adds vitamins and a vibrant color; feel free to substitute with kale if desired.
- Parmesan cheese garnish adds a savory depth and complements the tomato base.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute Italian sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
