Hearty Italian Sausage and Vegetable Medley Soup
Warm up with a comforting bowl of Hearty Italian Sausage and Vegetable Medley Soup, perfect for chilly days or cozy gatherings. This robust and flavorful soup features crumbled Italian sausage, colorful vegetables, and tender orzo pasta all simmered in a savory broth infused with white wine and herbs. Whether you are looking for a wholesome dinner or a dish to share, this recipe is sure to satisfy and delight your family and friends. Garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, each spoonful bursts with delicious Italian flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy. Perfect for meal prep, this soup allows you to enjoy the rich flavors even more after a day in the fridge or a quick defrost in the freezer.
N/A
Servings
90
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian sausage
1 lb (Remove casings if using links.)
onion
1 medium (Finely chopped.)
garlic
1 clove (Minced.)
carrots
2 (Peeled and diced.)
zucchini
2 small (Diced.)
green pepper
1 (Diced.)
dry white wine
1/2 cup (None.)
chicken broth
5 cups (None.)
crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (In tomato puree.)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (Crumble.)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (None.)
salt
to taste (None.)
freshly ground pepper
to taste (None.)
uncooked orzo pasta
1/2 cup (None.)
freshly grated parmesan cheese
2/3 cup (For serving.)
Instructions
1
Start by removing the casings from the Italian sausage if you're using links, or use bulk sausage.
2
In a heavy Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat.
3
Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until they are soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes, ensuring not to let them brown.
4
Stir in the diced carrots, zucchini, and green pepper, sautéing for an additional 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
5
Pour in the dry white wine, stirring to deglaze the pot and release any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
6
Add the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes (with their puree), dried basil, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil.
7
Once boiling, add the uncooked orzo pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and the vegetables are tender.
8
Season the soup with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
9
Ladle the soup into heavy soup bowls and, if desired, generously sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
10
For best results, let the soup cool, store it in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat it before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. If prepared in advance, this soup can also be frozen for later enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
4.5g
Fat
7g
Carbs
6.5g
Protein
0.6g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Italian Sausage and Vegetable Medley Soup?
It is a robust and flavorful soup featuring crumbled Italian sausage, colorful vegetables, and tender orzo pasta in a savory broth.
What kind of sausage is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of Italian sausage, either in links with casings removed or in bulk form.
How do I prepare the sausage?
Cook the sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through, then drain the excess fat.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
This medley includes finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced zucchini, and diced green pepper.
How many carrots should I use?
You should use two carrots that have been peeled and diced.
How much zucchini is required?
The recipe requires two small zucchinis, which should be diced before cooking.
Can I use any color of pepper?
While the recipe specifically mentions one green pepper, you can use other bell pepper varieties if preferred.
Why is dry white wine used in the recipe?
One-half cup of dry white wine is used to deglaze the pot and release the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom after sautéing vegetables.
What can I substitute for the white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, you can deglaze the pot with a small amount of additional chicken broth.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need 5 cups of chicken broth for this soup.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the broth?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes in tomato puree.
What dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with one teaspoon of dried basil and one-half teaspoon of dried oregano.
What type of pasta is in this soup?
The soup uses one-half cup of uncooked orzo pasta.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the orzo is added, simmer the soup for 20 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and vegetables are tender.
How do I serve the Hearty Italian Sausage Soup?
Ladle the soup into heavy bowls and optionally garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, it is perfect for meal prep because the flavors meld and improve after a day in the refrigerator.
How should I store leftovers?
Let the soup cool, then store it in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for later enjoyment.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 90 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 4.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
This soup provides 6.5 grams of protein per serving.
Does the soup have a lot of fiber?
The soup contains approximately 0.6 grams of fiber per serving.
How much Parmesan cheese is recommended?
The recipe suggests using two-thirds of a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving.
How long should I cook the onion and garlic?
Sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic for 3 to 4 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Yes, you can make it gluten-free by substituting the orzo with a gluten-free pasta or omitting the pasta.
Should the orzo be cooked before adding it to the soup?
No, you add the uncooked orzo pasta directly into the boiling broth mixture.
What should I do if the sausage fat is excessive?
The instructions recommend draining off any excess fat after browning the sausage.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, vegetable broth is a suitable substitute for chicken broth in this recipe.
How do I season the soup to my liking?
Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste after the simmering process is complete.
What is the best way to reheat the soup?
Reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, ideally after it has sat overnight for maximum flavor.