Simple Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup – Prevention RD

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This soup is a delicious, simple and comforting bowl of hearty Italian sausage, tender spinach, al dente orzo and a creamy tomato base with a bit of heat and Italian seasoning. Made in one pot, this recipe is quick to make and is the perfect cup of warmth for a cold day.

WHAT’S UP?

March 13 – Worst weather of winter 2022/23 so far. Yesterday, my Explorer skate work on the ice and I’m not complaining. it was a mild winter and I wasn’t late once. Also, I’m off for some sun (or heat) soon. Cancun, here we come! I hit “can’t sleep” before vacation What did I forget to pack? Does this happen when one packs EARLY for a vacation (I’m kind of a girl)? Or is this just a result of having to pack 2 toddlers to go with me? Or maybe the fact that all kinds of diseases are spread and I carry an entire pharmacy with me. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, right?

All I know is that on the way home yesterday I was so pumped for dinner – soup. This soup. It was perfect and the BEST part. My kids drank it. They have their thumbs up/thumbs down/thumbs down scale and this soup got a resounding thumbs up from both girls. I immediately sent the recipe to those in my life who I thought would enjoy it. ahm which includes you 😉

REGISTER FOR THIS RECIPE

  • Super fans! I’m a soup lover and soup season is coming to an end (or so they say, pssssh!). A bowl of warm, comforting goodness that can be enjoyed the next day and beyond. Recipe made in a single, large soup pot. Perfection.
  • Family friendly. Easily one of my new favorite soup recipes, this recipe is perfect for the whole family. there is so much flavor. The easy recipe for this soup (ha!) will be in regular rotation. great recipe! And the child-approved x2? JACKPOT: Even spinach, y’all.
  • Saturday warriors. This recipe takes all of 8-10 minutes of hands on time, making it the perfect recipe for busy weeknights. Made in a single Dutch oven, there’s nothing stopping this Italian sausage orzo soup from being on the table in about 30 minutes.

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Italian sausage. I used sweet Italian turkey sausage, but traditional Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or spicy Italian sausage are great substitutes. If you use links, 5 links total about 19 ounces.
  • Without meat. The sausage is really the star of the show here (IMHO), but you could certainly use veggie crumbles or beans instead.
  • Vegetables. Although onions and fresh spinach are the two vegetables in this recipe, next time I make it I will add some chopped celery and carrots to provide lots of vegetables. Even one medium carrot would be a nice addition of texture and color. Additional additional vegetables to consider as well would be bell peppers and mushrooms. Add the vegetables with the onions and increase the usefulness of the recipe.
  • Chopped tomatoes. Instead of crushed tomatoes, you can use a bit of tomato paste (4 ounces) with diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, about 28 ounces total. A good quality canned tomato product can also enhance the flavor of this delicious soup.
  • Seasoning. In addition to using spicy sausage, you can also use extra red pepper flakes for added spice. I love that little bump, but it can definitely be dialed back for those who want something milder or kid-friendly.
  • Orzo Pasta. This rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly and is easy to eat in a soup. That said, feel free to substitute with small pasta or short-cut pasta of your choice.
  • Herbs. To keep it simple, this recipe uses dried Italian spices, but fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, and thyme would be nice additions. I would recommend about 1/4 cup of chopped basil and/or parsley and/or 1-2 tablespoons of fresh oregano and 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme.
  • Chicken stock. The base of the soup is similar to tomato soup, but chicken stock, vegetable stock, vegetable stock, or other stock or preferred stock can be used. For a thinner or thicker soup, add more or less broth or stock as you prefer. I use a low sodium variety to improve the nutrition in the recipe; more salt can be added if needed (not likely).

FOOD CROPS

  • I found that this recipe does not require additional salt. it’s too salty as it is.
  • Chicken or turkey sausages are commonly available and can be used in recipes to reduce saturated fat and calories while still offering great flavor.
  • See above for ways to add nutrition to this recipe with additional vegetables. There are tons of ways to sneak in more while keeping things kid-friendly and simple.
  • Low in calories and very moderate in carbohydrates, this recipe is suitable for a carb-controlled and calorie-conscious lifestyle.

DIFFERENCES, STORAGE AND TIPS

  • The soup thickens as it sits and the orzo continues to soak up the chicken broth. Add chicken stock to leftovers to thin before reheating and serving for a thinner consistency.
  • Don’t miss the crusty bread and parmesan cheese to serve with this soup. There’s no denying that both enhance this family favorite Italian Sausage Soup recipe.
  • If you have any leftover Parmesan rind, toss it in while the soup is simmering over medium-high heat and remove it before serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 5 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 19.5 oz (about 5 links) Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, casings removed

  • 1 (28 oz.) chopped tomato

  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes

  • 1 cup (6 ounces) dry orzo

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach

Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes or until softened, stirring often. Add garlic; stir and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  3. Add the sausage and break it up as it browns. Cook the sausage until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
  4. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes; stir and increase heat to high.
  5. Once boiling, add orzo, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 8 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
  6. Slowly stir in the milk and add the spinach. Cook for 1 more minute and serve with parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutritional information.

Profitability. 7:00
Serving size. 1/7 recipe (about 1 2/3 cups)

Amount per serving.
Calories. 311Total fat. 10.9 gSaturated fats. 6 gTrans fats. 1g:Unsaturated fats. 15 gCholesterol. 51 mgSodium. 894 mgCarbohydrates. 31.4 gFiber. 5.0 gSugar: 7.1 gProteins: 22.4 g

Have you made this recipe?

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The weather calls for comfort food. Enjoy!

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