Italian Sausage Soup
It’s officially back to school season, and our dining habits and my cooking habits change A LOT like most of us. This amazing Italian Sausage Soup is a fantastic addition to any Fall Meal Plan. Made in the Instant Pot, Crock Pot, or on the Stove it is super flexible, AND it can be frozen. Pretty much a perfect 10 when it comes to soup!
Simple ingredients come together to make a wonderful filling comforting soup. Italian Sausage in a slightly creamy broth, with orzo and wilted spinach and a touch of Parmesan. You can have this on the table in under 40 minute from start to finish and it only uses one pot.
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 4 whole mild Italian Sausage links
- 3/4 cup Orzo Pasta
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 whole Onion diced
- 1 Tbsp Garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 28 Oz Canned diced tomatoes
- pinch red chili Flakes
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 pkg frozen spinach or 2 cups fresh
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Set Instant pot to saute; add oil and onion. Saute 1-2 minutes until onions just begin to soften.
- Remove casing from sausage and add to the onion mixture in the Instant Pot; break into pieces. Saute about 5 minutes until slightly browned. Drain off extra fat. Add seasonings and stir.
- Pour in the chicken stock and scrape bottom of the pan to remove any brown bits. Place the frozen spinach into the pot, add orzo. Do NOT STIIf you are using fresh spinach, hold off adding it until the soup is cooked.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with the juice). Do NOT stir.
- Cancel the saute function and set the Instant Pot to Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Make sure the vent is set to seal.
- Once the time is up, do a QR (quick release), open the lid and stir well. If you are using fresh spinach add it now.
- Once the spinach has wilted, stir in the heavy cream and the Parmesan cheese. Stir well.
- Serve with warm bread and a big salad for a complete and delicious meal.
Crock Pot Instructions:
- Saute onion, garlic, and sausage in a large skillet until crumbled and cooked through.
- Add to Crock Pot. Place all remaining ingredients in the crock pot except the cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Cook on low 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Meal Prep Instructions:
- Saute onion, garlic, and sausage in a large skillet until crumbled and cooked through.
- Add to freezer safe bag or container. Pour in all remaining ingredients except Orzo, Cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Label and freeze. To cook; place frozen or defrosted soup into the Crock Pot, add orzo. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours.
Stove Top Instructions:
- Follow directions for Instant Pot, but use a large soup pot or dutch oven. Simmer for at least an hour, and up to 3 hours for best flavour.