Description
Hearty italian sausage orzo soup brings comfort and warmth to winter meals. Savory Italian sausage, tender orzo, and rich broth create a satisfying bowl that warms souls and delights diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) Italian sausage
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 1 (28 oz/794 g) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup (190 g) uncooked orzo
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy/whipping cream
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps flour
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sausage Searing: Caramelize Italian sausage in a soup pot over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until thoroughly cooked with a rich, golden exterior.
- Aromatic Foundation: Remove sausage, leaving a thin layer of fat, then sauté onions and celery until soft and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Flavor Development: Dust with flour, add garlic, and create a smooth base by stirring to prevent burning, then gradually introduce chicken broth to eliminate potential lumps.
- Liquid Integration: Incorporate canned tomatoes, dried oregano, and return sausage to the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat, add orzo and cream, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until orzo reaches perfect tenderness (10-12 minutes).
- Final Touch: Fold fresh spinach into the soup just before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste, and ladle into bowls.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Sear Sausage Strategically: Browning the sausage at medium-high heat creates a caramelized exterior, intensifying the overall flavor profile of the soup.
- Build Flavor Foundation: Sautéing onions and celery in the reserved sausage fat develops a rich, aromatic base that enhances the soup’s depth.
- Prevent Lumpy Texture: Gradually whisk chicken broth into the flour mixture, ensuring a smooth, velvety consistency without unwanted flour clumps.
- Timing is Crucial: Monitor orzo cooking carefully, as overcooking can result in mushy pasta – aim for al dente texture by checking at the 10-minute mark.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg