The summer season is almost officially over, school’s back in session, we’re busy-busy, and soup season…is pretty much here. Here’s an easy, savory, recipe for Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup to add to your weeknight meal rotation.

Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

This soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s a broth-based, one pot, savory soup that requires only a few basic cooking techniques to reach maximum yum! The sausage and tomatoes give it a sweet and savory flavor while the orzo delivers that pasta-shaped-like-rice goodness that everyone loves.

The seasonings, especially fennel, put the finishing touch on this Italian-inspired recipe. It’s a filling soup, yet hangs out on the light side because there’s no dairy added to the broth.

Have you ever had an Italian Wedding Soup? This one has a very similar look and feel, but uses Italian sausage instead of meatballs. You’ll also notice that we didn’t add any fresh, leafy greens to it. You know, like kale, spinach, or chard.

But you could add leafy greens…

And you’d only be upping the nutritional value. If you decide to add any greens, just toss them in near the end of the cooking cycle and they’ll cook to perfection.

You could also have even more fun and add croutons and shaved parmesan cheese. Or if you love fresh bread from the oven, this homemade Italian bread recipe is a perfect accompaniment! Of course, you’d be upping the calories, but who doesn’t love bread, cheese, and soup?! Although, I originally wrote this recipe without those party favors…to keep it on the lighter side.

There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.

Ingredients you’ll need for Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage links (casings removed); rolled into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
• 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 2-15oz cans diced tomatoes – no salt added
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
• 1 teaspoon salt
• black pepper to taste

Kitchen tools you may find helpful for this recipe:

• chef knife
• cutting board
• 3-quart soup pot
• wooden spoon
• can opener

If you want more quick soup recipes for busy weeknights, check out my 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup. If you’re really pressed for time and need a 20-minute soup, check out my In-A-Hurry Kale Chickpea Soup. Both recipes are as easy as this Orzo soup.

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More soup recipes you will love:

1. Sopa De Fideos is bursting with delicious classic flavors of Mexican Noodle Soup. A must try!
2. Amanda’s Meatball Soup is easy to make and makes a delicious, hearty meal. Great for fall!
3. This Sausage Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup is very tasty and is less than 200 calories per cup.
4. Another delightful broth-based soup is this Chicken and Bean Soup. Easy to make and wonderful for lunch.
5. Rustic Garlic Potato Soup is ideal for chilly days. It keeps well in the refrigerator and can also be frozen for future meals.
6. Vegetable Rice Soup, this easy one-pot soup is great for filling up on those good-for-you veggies!

Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fall, orzo, winter

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 231 kcal

Author: Traci Antonovich

Think of an Italian Wedding Soup with all-pork sausage meatballs. This savory, comfort soup is on the table in only 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage links casings removed; rolled into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup red onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
• 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 30 oz diced tomatoes 2 15-oz cans
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
• 1 teaspoon salt
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a 3.5-quart soup pot on medium-high flame, heat olive oil until shimmering (about 1-2 min).
2. Add sausage pieces and sauté until lightly browned; transfer cooked pieces to a plate and set aside.
3. To the heated, oiled pan, add onion, garlic, and celery; sauté until fragrant and slightly tender, stirring as needed (3-4 min).
4. Add orzo; sauté to lightly brown (2-3 min).
5. Add chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, oregano, fennel, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring to boil; continue boiling until pasta is cooked through (about 10 min); add sausage back to pot about halfway through boiling process.
7. Serve warm.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

Amount Per Serving (2 cups)

Calories 231 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 21mg 7%

Sodium 1013mg 42%

Potassium 399mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 3g

Protein 8g 16%

Vitamin A 3.8%

Vitamin C 14.4%

Calcium 7.8%

Iron 12.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This post was originally published on this blog on Sep 13, 2016.