Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Veggie Soup
Warm up your day with this Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Veggie Soup! Loaded with flavorful ground sweet Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and comforting orzo pasta, this soup is perfect for chilly evenings or as a satisfying meal any time of the year. The combination of earthy spices and fresh ingredients creates a delightful balance in every spoonful, making it a beloved family favorite. Serve this comforting soup with crusty bread for an even more delightful experience.
6
Servings
188
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground sweet Italian sausage
1 lb (crumbled)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
canned crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (none)
water
6 cups (none)
orzo pasta
1/2 cup (none)
beef bouillon cubes
2 (none)
basil
1 tablespoon (dried)
fennel seed
1 teaspoon (whole)
green beans
1 lb (cut into 1 inch lengths)
carrots
6 (peeled and chopped)
zucchini
2 cups (chopped)
dry white wine
1/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot over medium heat, crumble the ground sweet Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir often to break the sausage into smaller pieces. Once cooked, drain excess fat.
2
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion becomes softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, water, orzo pasta, and beef bouillon cubes. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
4
Once boiling, add the dried basil, fennel seeds, cut green beans, and chopped carrots. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the green beans and carrots are nearing tenderness.
5
Next, gently fold in the chopped zucchini and dry white wine. Continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender and flavors meld beautifully.
6
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving. Enjoy hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
17g
Carbs
11g
Protein
2g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
300mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in the Hearty Italian Sausage and Orzo Veggie Soup?
The main protein in this recipe is one pound of ground sweet Italian sausage.
What type of pasta is used in this soup?
This soup uses a half cup of orzo pasta.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 188 calories.
What vegetables are included in this Italian sausage soup?
The vegetables included are onion, garlic, green beans, carrots, and zucchini.
How long does it take to brown the sausage?
It takes about 10 minutes to crumble and brown the ground sweet Italian sausage over medium heat.
Should I drain the fat from the sausage after cooking?
Yes, the instructions recommend draining excess fat after the sausage has browned.
Is wine used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of dry white wine to be added toward the end of cooking.
When do I add the zucchini to the soup?
The chopped zucchini should be folded in during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, along with the white wine.
How much water is needed for the base?
The recipe requires 6 cups of water combined with beef bouillon cubes.
What seasonings provide the flavor for this soup?
The soup is seasoned with dried basil, whole fennel seeds, garlic, and beef bouillon.
Do I need to cook the orzo separately?
No, the orzo pasta is added directly to the boiling soup mixture to cook.
How long should the soup simmer after adding the carrots and green beans?
The soup should simmer uncovered for 20 minutes once the carrots and green beans are added.
What is the sodium content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300mg of sodium.
How many carrots are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 carrots, peeled and chopped.
What kind of tomatoes are best for this soup?
A 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes is used for this recipe.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 11g of protein per serving.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
Can this soup be used for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged as a meal prep friendly and hearty soup.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 9g of fat.
How much fiber does this soup provide?
This soup provides 2g of fiber per serving.
How should the green beans be prepared?
The 1 lb of green beans should be cut into 1-inch lengths.
Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as 'low-cost' and 'family-friendly'.
What can I serve with this soup?
The description recommends serving the soup with crusty bread for a more delightful experience.
How much carbohydrate is in a serving?
There are 17g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should I saute the onions?
The chopped onions should be sauteed for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
What is the sugar content of this recipe?
There are 2g of sugar per serving.
Are there any suggested garnishes?
You can optionally garnish the soup with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese.
How many bouillon cubes are used?
The recipe calls for 2 beef bouillon cubes.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
The heat should be reduced to medium-low while the soup simmers for 20 minutes.