Easy to prepare, rich and slightly creamy Italian Sausage Orzo soup can be made in the Instant Pot, Crock Pot or Stove Top. Meal Prep and freeze this ahead for a satisfying weeknight dinner or amazing lunch!
Course Soup
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Italian Sausage Soup
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 4 minutesminutes
Come to pressure 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Author loveonaplate
Ingredients
4wholemild Italian Sausage links
3/4cupOrzo Pasta
1tbspOlive Oil
1wholeOnion diced
1TbspGarlic powder
1TbspItalian seasoning
2Bay leaves
1 28OzCanned diced tomatoes
pinchred chili Flakes
4cupsChicken Broth
1pkg frozen spinachor 2 cups fresh
1/4cupheavy creamor half and half
1/2cupshredded 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.