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Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Orzo Recipe

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3.9 from 37 reviews

This hearty Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Orzo is a cozy, one-pot Italian-inspired meal packed with flavorful ground sausage, tender vegetables, creamy cannellini beans, and delicate orzo pasta simmered in a rich tomato and herb broth. Perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner, ready in under an hour.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meat and Fats

  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or hot
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Vegetables

  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2½ cups zucchini, diced
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach

Canned and Packaged Goods

  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 cups chicken broth

Dry Goods and Seasonings

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage for about 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease and remove the sausage to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add olive oil, diced onion, celery, and carrots to the same pot. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the minced garlic and diced zucchini and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant and tender.
  3. Simmer the Soup Base: Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, drained cannellini beans, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes to blend the flavors.
  4. Cook the Orzo and Finish Soup: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the pot and simmer for 8–10 minutes until the orzo is tender. Just before serving, stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
  5. Optional Storage Tip: To prevent orzo from absorbing too much broth if making ahead or storing leftovers, cook orzo separately in salted water and add it to individual bowls before serving to maintain texture.
  6. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • For best texture, cook the orzo separately if you plan to store leftovers to prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Brown the sausage well before adding vegetables to deepen the soup’s flavor.
  • Add extra broth if the soup thickens too much as it cools or sits.
  • Use turkey sausage or omit the meat and double the beans to make a lighter version.
  • Simmering with a Parmesan rind and finishing with grated cheese and lemon juice can add extra richness and brightness.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/minestrone-soup-with-sausage-and-orzo-recipe/