Hearty Italian Spinach and Rice Soup
This nourishing Italian Spinach and Rice Soup is a delightful blend of textures and flavors, featuring creamy arborio rice and tender potatoes nestled in a rich chicken broth, infused with aromatic leeks, garlic, and fresh herbs. The addition of vibrant spinach provides a wonderful burst of color and nutrition, making this soup not only satisfying but also a great way to incorporate vegetables into your diet. Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish is so hearty and delicious that even meat lovers will enjoy every flavorful spoonful. Plus, it can be easily frozen for up to three months, ensuring you have a comforting meal ready at a moment's notice. Serve with crusty Italian bread for a truly memorable dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/4 cup (None)
leeks
6 (white part only, sliced)
garlic cloves
3 (crushed)
carrots
2 (diced)
arborio rice
1/2 cup (None)
potatoes
3 (cut in large chunks)
chicken stock
5 cups (None)
parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
celery
1/2 cup (chopped)
bay leaf
1 (None)
salt
1 teaspoon (None)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (None)
dried basil
2 teaspoons (None)
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (None)
tomato paste
3 tablespoons (None)
light brown sugar
1 tablespoon (None)
fresh spinach
10 ounces (rinsed, cut in large pieces)
parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
fontinella cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating the olive oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
2
Add the sliced leeks, crushed garlic, and diced carrots. Sauté until the leeks are softened, about 2 minutes.
3
Stir in the arborio rice and potato chunks, cooking for an additional minute to toast the rice slightly.
4
Next, pour in the chicken stock and add the chopped parsley, celery, bay leaf, salt, pepper, dried basil, fresh lemon juice, tomato paste, and light brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5
Secure the lid on the pressure cooker. Increase the heat to high to build steam until it reaches high pressure. Once pressure is achieved, reduce the heat to maintain that pressure, using a heat diffuser if necessary.
6
Cook the soup for 4 minutes under pressure. After this time, carefully release the pressure according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
7
Once the pressure is released, remove the lid and give the soup a good stir. Slowly fold in the fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt from the residual heat.
8
Ladle the hearty soup into serving bowls and sprinkle a generous amount of the combined parmesan and fontinella cheeses on top.
9
Serve with warm hunks of crusty Italian bread for the perfect accompaniment.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Italian Spinach and Rice Soup?
It is a nourishing Italian-style soup featuring arborio rice, potatoes, fresh spinach, and aromatic vegetables like leeks and carrots in a savory chicken broth.
What type of rice is recommended for this recipe?
Arborio rice is recommended because its high starch content creates a creamy texture in the soup.
Can I substitute the arborio rice?
Yes, you can use other rice varieties, but the soup may lose some of its characteristic creaminess.
How long does this soup cook in a pressure cooker?
The soup should be cooked for 4 minutes under high pressure.
Can this spinach and rice soup be frozen?
Yes, this soup is freezer-friendly and can be stored for up to three months.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
The recipe uses chicken stock, but it can easily be made vegetarian by substituting it with vegetable stock.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes leeks, carrots, potatoes, celery, and fresh spinach.
How do I prepare the leeks for this soup?
Use only the white parts of the leeks and slice them before sautéing.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
Any standard boiling potato works well, but be sure to cut them into large chunks to prevent them from becoming too soft.
When should I add the spinach?
Add the fresh spinach at the very end after the pressure has been released; the residual heat will wilt it perfectly.
What cheese is best for topping the soup?
A blend of grated parmesan and fontinella cheeses provides a delicious savory finish.
Why is lemon juice added to the recipe?
Fresh lemon juice provides a burst of acidity that brightens the flavors of the rich broth and vegetables.
Is there sugar in this soup recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of light brown sugar is added to help balance the acidity of the tomato paste and lemon juice.
How do I release the pressure from the cooker?
Follow your specific pressure cooker manufacturer's instructions for a safe pressure release after the 4-minute cook time.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is best served with warm hunks of crusty Italian bread.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
The recipe calls for dried basil, but fresh parsley and fresh lemon juice are recommended for the best flavor profile.
Does the rice need to be toasted?
Yes, stirring the rice with the vegetables for one minute before adding stock helps toast the rice slightly for better flavor.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
Tomato paste adds a layer of rich, umami depth to the soup broth.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 crushed garlic cloves.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While fresh is preferred, you can use frozen spinach if it is thawed and squeezed dry before being folded into the soup.
What herbs are used in this recipe?
The soup is seasoned with parsley, a bay leaf, and dried basil.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil to sauté the aromatics.
Should I use a heat diffuser?
A heat diffuser can be helpful to maintain steady pressure if your stove heat is difficult to regulate.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is packed with fresh vegetables, iron-rich spinach, and uses heart-healthy olive oil.
How many carrots are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 diced carrots.
How much chicken stock is required?
You will need 5 cups of chicken stock for the base of the soup.
What is the prep for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be crushed before being added to the pressure cooker.
How much spinach is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 10 ounces of rinsed fresh spinach cut into large pieces.
Can I add meat to this soup?
While it is hearty as a vegetable-heavy soup, you could add cooked Italian sausage or shredded chicken if desired.
How do I clean the leeks?
Rinse the sliced leeks thoroughly in a bowl of water to ensure any grit or sand between the layers is removed.