Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup
Warm up with this Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup, a comforting, slow-cooked delight filled with savory flavors. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup combines the richness of mild Italian sausage with vibrant vegetables and tender orzo pasta. With each bowl, enjoy a taste of Italy that is easy to prepare and sure to please. This recipe yields a hearty batch suitable for gatherings or meal prep, making it ideal for families or busy weeknights. Garnish with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese for an added layer of flavor, and indulge in a bowl of deliciousness that will warm your soul.
N/A
Servings
277
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bulk mild Italian sausage
1 lb (Remove from casings (if applicable) and crumble)
Large brown onion
1 (Chopped)
Minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon (Bottled or fresh)
Medium carrots
2 (Chopped)
Celery stalk
1 (Chopped)
Chopped tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (Undrained)
Tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (No preparation needed)
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Crushed dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Bay leaf
1 (No preparation needed)
Crushed dried oregano
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Crushed dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Chicken broth
3 (14 ounce) cans (No preparation needed)
Orzo pasta
1/2 cup (No preparation needed)
Parmesan cheese
to taste (Shredded for serving)
Instructions
1
1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent. Drain any excess grease.
2
2. Transfer the sausage mix to the slow cooker. Add the chopped carrots, celery, chopped tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, dried basil, dried rosemary, bay leaf, dried oregano, thyme, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
3
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8 hours or on High for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
4
4. About 20 minutes before serving, set the slow cooker to High and stir in the orzo pasta. Allow it to cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
5
5. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
27g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup?
It is a comforting, slow-cooked Italian-inspired soup featuring mild sausage, vibrant vegetables, and tender orzo pasta.
What type of sausage is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of bulk mild Italian sausage, crumbled.
Do I need to cook the sausage before putting it in the slow cooker?
Yes, you should brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked before adding it to the slow cooker.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
This soup includes brown onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and chopped tomatoes.
How long does this soup cook on the Low setting?
The soup should be cooked on Low for 8 hours.
Can I cook this recipe on High in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the soup on the High setting for 4 hours.
When should the orzo pasta be added?
Add the orzo pasta about 20 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.
Do I need to change the temperature setting to cook the pasta?
Yes, set the slow cooker to High when you stir in the orzo pasta so it cooks properly.
How much orzo pasta is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of orzo pasta.
Should I drain the canned chopped tomatoes?
No, the tomatoes should be added undrained with their juice.
What herbs are used to season the soup?
The soup is seasoned with dried basil, crushed dried rosemary, a bay leaf, crushed dried oregano, and crushed dried thyme.
Is there tomato sauce in this recipe?
Yes, it uses one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need three 14-ounce cans of chicken broth.
What should I do with the bay leaf before serving?
Remove the bay leaf from the slow cooker before ladling the soup into bowls.
What is the recommended garnish for this soup?
The soup is best served with a sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 277 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
This soup provides 14g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 13g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 27g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, which can be fresh or bottled.
Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, it yields a hearty batch that is ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights.
Can I use fresh rosemary instead of dried?
While the recipe calls for dried rosemary, you can use fresh; just remember that dried herbs are generally more potent than fresh.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies one large brown onion.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need two medium carrots, chopped.
What if my sausage has casings?
If using link sausage, remove it from the casings and crumble it before browning.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in this Italian sausage and orzo soup.
Is this considered a clear soup?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as a clear soup despite its hearty ingredients.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is noted as a family-friendly meal that is sure to please everyone.
How long does the orzo take to cook in the slow cooker?
It takes approximately 20 minutes to become tender.
What is the preparation for the celery?
One celery stalk should be chopped before adding it to the slow cooker.