Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup has lots of yummy Italian flavors and it's the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold day!
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- kosher salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp garlic paste or minced garlic
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 15 oz cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tbsps Italian seasoning
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound orzo pasta (more or less depending on how thick you want the soup)
- 4 cups chopped spinach
- 1 pint heavy cream
- Optional: parmesan cheese
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In a large soup pot over medium heat, add the ground Italian sausage. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease and set the sausage aside.
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To the same pot, add olive oil, diced onion, diced red bell pepper, kosher salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, cook 1 minute.
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Add the cooked sausage, chicken stock, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, more kosher salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, and add the orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to medium low for 12 minutes, stirring often.
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Add the spinach and heavy cream, bring to a boil and simmer 6 to 7 more minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more kosher salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if needed.
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Serve with parmesan cheese over top if desired.