Description
Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup is a hearty, comforting dish featuring savory ground pork sausage simmered with tender orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach in a creamy, flavorful broth enriched with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy meal, this easy-to-make soup comes together in just 30 minutes and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Thickening and Flavor Base
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Soup Ingredients
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- ¾ cup dry orzo pasta
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Sausage and Onion: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound ground pork sausage with ½ cup diced onion. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully browned and no longer pink, and the onions become translucent. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Flour and Tomato Paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the sausage mixture, mixing thoroughly to coat and create a roux that will help thicken the soup.
- Pour in Broth and Seasonings: Add 8 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and ¾ cup dry orzo pasta to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-13 minutes until the orzo is tender and plump.
- Combine Cream, Spinach, and Cheese: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, 3 cups baby spinach, and ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Heat until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts completely, stirring frequently to combine all flavors.
- Adjust Seasonings and Garnish: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and additional fresh Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control salt content.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be substituted with roasted red peppers for a different flavor twist.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats nicely.
- Orzo can be replaced with small pasta shapes if unavailable.
