Italian Sausage Soup [with Orzo] Recipe

I love this Italian sausage soup; it blends bold flavors, hearty pork sausage, crisp vegetables, and whole wheat orzo into a bowl of pure comfort. Whipping it up in the Instant Pot makes the process super simple, delivering a fast yet flavorful homestyle dinner that leaves me feeling completely satisfied.

I love making this Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo recipe because it comes together in 30 minutes whether you are using an Instant Pot or stovetop. I start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the pot and cooking 1 pound of Italian pork sausage, breaking it up as it browns.

I then add a diced yellow onion, 3 cloves of garlic and chopped celery and carrots, which give the soup lots of heartiness and natural sweetness. I also toss in a chopped red bell pepper and a can of diced tomatoes with juices to add some tang.

Then I pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and stir in 1 cup whole wheat orzo, dried basil, dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of spice. Finally I add 2 cups fresh spinach at the end and top with salt, black pepper, and fresh basil if I have it.

This soup is not only delicious but good for you with its lean protein and veggies.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, its really fast and easy. I can make it in about 30 minutes even if im a bit tired from school. Second, i love how the mix of pork sausage, veggies, and orzo creates a hearty and comforting flavor thats just perfect on a chilly day. Third, its super flexible – whether in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop, i can switch it up depending on my mood and what tools i have handy. Lastly, the extra touch of fresh spinach and basil gives it a bright flavor that makes it feel a bit more special and homemade.

Ingredients

• Italian pork sausage: adds savory protein, rich flavor, and slight spice in every bite.
• Whole wheat orzo: provides hearty carbohydrates and fiber for energy and fullness.
• Diced tomatoes: juicy, tangy addition loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Fresh spinach: bursts of nutrition, vitamins A and C, making soup vibrant and healthy.
• Onion and garlic: aromatic essentials that enhance flavor and support overall health.
• Red bell pepper: gives a sweet, crisp texture along with vitamin C goodness.
• Celery, carrots, and basil: boost natural sweetness, freshness, and herbal notes in the broth.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian pork sausage (casings removed)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup whole wheat orzo
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your Instant Pot on the sauté setting or in a big pot on the stove over medium-high heat.

2. Add the Italian pork sausage (casings removed) to the pot and break it up into small pieces as it cooks until it’s mostly browned.

3. Stir in the diced yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and diced carrots, and cook for about 3-4 minutes until the veggies start to soften.

4. Toss in the chopped red bell pepper and let it cook for another 2 minutes.

5. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices and add the 4 cups of chicken broth to the pot.

6. Mix in 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

7. Bring the whole mixture to a simmer, then add the cup of whole wheat orzo. If using an Instant Pot, cancel the sauté function and set to manual high for 4 minutes if you want a pressure cooker version.

8. If you’re cooking on the stove, let the soup simmer for about 8-10 minutes until the orzo is tender.

9. Stir in the 2 cups of roughly chopped fresh spinach just a minute or two before finishing the soup so it wilts nicely.

10. Serve hot and garnish with fresh basil leaves if you like, then enjoy your comforting Italian sausage soup with orzo.

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot or a big pot – you’ll use one of these to cook your soup on either pressure cooker mode or on the stovetop
2. Chef knife – essential for chopping all of your veggies and meat
3. Cutting board – to keep your surface safe while you cut and dice
4. Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and breaking up the sausage
5. Measuring cups – for your chicken broth and orzo
6. Measuring spoons – needed for your olive oil and spices
7. Ladle – to serve up the soup nicely
8. Colander – optional but handy if you want to rinse your spinach before chopping
9. Soup bowls – for enjoying your comforting Italian sausage soup with orzo

FAQ

Italian Sausage Soup [with Orzo] Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you can’t find Italian pork sausage, you can use turkey sausage or even chicken sausage
• If you’re out of olive oil, avocado oil or canola oil works just fine
• If diced tomatoes aren’t available, crushed tomatoes or tomato puree will do
• If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, vegetable broth is a good alternative
• If whole wheat orzo isn’t at your local store, regular orzo or even rice pasta or quinoa might work

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you really brown the sausage well before adding the rest of the stuff. It really brings out the flavor so your soup doesn’t taste bland.
2. Don’t rush the veggies – let them soften up nicely in the olive oil. If you add them too fast, they might turn out crunchy which ruins the whole texture.
3. Stir in the spinach near the end of cooking so it keeps its bright color and doesn’t get all mushy.
4. If youre using an Instant Pot, cancel the sauté mode before switching to pressure cook. It’s easy to forget this and then end up with overcooked orzo.