Dinner

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe

Name: Italian Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 ounces Italian sausage; 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped; 2 sticks celery, finely chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons flour; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 cup uncooked orzo; 1 cup heavy/whipping cream; 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach (optional); Salt and pepper, to taste

Byanna orden October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

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Introduction

This Italian Sausage Orzo Soup is a hearty, comforting dish packed with savory flavors and creamy richness. It’s an easy-to-make meal that combines spicy sausage, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach for a satisfying bowl perfect any day of the week.

The image shows a white bowl filled with creamy soup that has a light orange color. The soup has multiple layers including small pieces of browned sausage, chunks of light beige orzo pasta, bright green spinach leaves, and small bits of orange tomato and yellow corn. A shiny gold spoon rests in the bowl, partially lifting some of the soup that contains sausage, orzo, and spinach. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 ounces Italian sausage
1/2 medium onion, chopped finely
2 sticks celery, chopped finely
2 tablespoons flour
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup uncooked orzo
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 cups packed fresh baby spinach (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Add the Italian sausage meat to a large soup pot. Sauté over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the sausage from the pot and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about one tablespoon of the sausage fat in the pot, draining any excess.
Step 3: Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot. Cook them for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
Step 4: Stir in the flour and minced garlic. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to dissolve the flour completely.
Step 6: Add the canned diced tomatoes with their juices and dried oregano to the pot. Return the browned sausage to the soup. Increase heat to high and bring to a gentle boil.
Step 7: Once boiling, stir in the heavy cream and uncooked orzo. Reduce heat as needed and simmer for about 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Step 8: Finally, stir in the fresh baby spinach, if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the spinach wilts, then serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a milder soup, use sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy.
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness slightly.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Use kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach for a different leafy green option.
To make it gluten-free, replace the flour with a gluten-free alternative and use gluten-free orzo or rice pasta.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up look at a creamy soup held by a black ladle over a black pot on a white marbled surface. The soup has three main layers: a thick, light orange creamy broth, chunks of cooked ground meat and small pieces of pasta forming a textured middle layer, and bright green spinach leaves scattered throughout. Bits of diced red tomatoes and other small vegetables add pops of red and yellow colors within the creamy base. The soup looks rich and hearty with some black pepper flakes on top, steam faintly rising from the pot. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked sausage for this soup?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked sausage. Just add it when you add the tomatoes and broth to warm through. This will save time but may reduce some browning flavor.

Is orzo the best pasta choice for this soup?

Orzo is ideal because it cooks quickly and adds a lovely texture, but you can substitute other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or ditalini if desired.