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Cozy Sausage Orzo Soup

As seen in Warming Soups and Stews for Every Season.

This cozy Sausage Orzo Soup takes inspiration from the popular Marry Me Chicken recipe but turns it into a hearty soup. It starts with browned Italian sausage for deep flavor and builds with orzo pasta that absorbs the creamy broth. Bits of sun-dried tomatoes and roasted peppers add a zesty kick, while fresh spinach and parmesan blend in at the end for a satisfying finish. Best part? All in one pot, ready in under an hour.
Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Created by Sandra
Fresh as of Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:49:19 GMT
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Cozy Sausage Orzo Soup | yummygusto.com

Imagine the ultimate comfort food - a luxurious broth filled with tender orzo pasta and perfectly seasoned Italian sausage, complemented by sweet roasted peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. This Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup lives up to its name with every spoonful delivering rich, harmonious flavors that create pure comfort in a bowl.

This soup came together one chilly afternoon, filling the kitchen with an aroma that had everyone eagerly awaiting dinner time.

Key Ingredients

  • Italian Sausage: Select quality bulk sausage or remove casings - combine mild and spicy for depth
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes: Choose oil-packed for enhanced flavor
  • Orzo: This rice-shaped pasta is ideal for soup texture
  • Half-and-half: Creates perfect creaminess
  • Parmesan: Fresh-grated for best melting

Preparation Method

Step 1: Sausage Preparation
Crumble and brown sausage thoroughly. Develop fond for flavor base. Deglaze pot completely.
Step 2: Vegetable Base
Cook vegetables in rendered fat. Soften onions fully. Allow tomatoes to release oils. Add garlic briefly.
Step 3: Creating the Base
Cook flour mixture thoroughly. Incorporate liquids slowly. Maintain gentle heat. Stir regularly.
Step 4: Final Touches
Incorporate spinach until just wilted. Check seasoning. Rest before serving. Add garnishes.

A touch of red pepper flakes alongside Italian seasoning creates an inviting warmth that elevates the entire dish.

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Delicious Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup | yummygusto.com

Mastering Soup Basics

Success lies in building flavors systematically. Begin with properly browned sausage, then layer ingredients strategically. Experience shows that cooking vegetables in sausage drippings creates exceptional depth.

Advance Preparation

  • Prepare orzo separately
  • Keep extra stock ready
  • Prepare large batch for freezing
  • Store garnishes separately

Common Solutions

  • Add warm stock to adjust thickness
  • Prevent sticking with regular stirring
  • Restore separated soup through gentle whisking
  • Balance overseasoning with cream

Nutritional Benefits

Features protein-rich ingredients, essential vitamins from vegetables, calcium from dairy components, and iron from fresh spinach.

This recipe quickly became a household favorite, inspiring requests for seconds and sharing with neighbors.

Close-up Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe Save Recipe
Close-up Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup Recipe | yummygusto.com

This soup demonstrates how patience and technique combine to create something special. The harmonious blend of cream, tomatoes, sausage-infused broth, and tender orzo delivers memorable flavor in every bowl.

Recipe Tips & Help

→ Can different types of pasta work instead of orzo?
Definitely! Small pasta shapes like ditalini or mini shells are good options. Just tweak the cooking time to match the package instructions.
→ What's the best way to store leftover soup?
Pop leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Pasta might soak up extra broth, so add a little more liquid while you’re heating it up.
→ Are there alternatives to using cream in this soup?
Sure, you can swap cream for evaporated milk or whole milk. It’ll be a bit lighter, but steer clear of low-fat options to stop it from curdling.
→ Which Italian sausage should I pick?
Both sweet and spicy Italian sausage taste great. Go with spicy for an extra kick or sweet for a mild, classic flavor.
→ Can this soup be frozen?
Freezing can get tricky since the cream and pasta don’t hold up well. If freezing, skip the pasta and add it fresh when reheating.
→ What pairs well with this soup?
Try crusty bread, cheesy garlic bread, or a side salad for a balanced, delicious meal.

Sausage Orzo Soup

Dive into a comforting, creamy sausage orzo soup with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, tender pasta, and rich parmesan broth.

Preparation Time
15 Mins
Cooking Time
40 Mins
Total Time
55 Mins
Created by: Sandra

Dish Type: Comforting Soups

Skill Level: Medium

Style: Italian-American

Makes: 4 Serves

Dietary Notes: ~

What You'll Need

→ Base Ingredients

01 1 pound of bulk Italian sausage or taken out of its casings
02 1/4 cup white wine (feel free to skip this if you want)
03 1 tablespoon of avocado or olive oil

→ Fresh Veggies

04 2 celery stalks, diced up
05 3 minced cloves of garlic
06 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
07 1/3 cup spinach sliced into thin strips
08 1/2 cup diced onions
09 2 roasted red peppers, cut into small pieces

→ Pantry & Dairy

10 1/2 cup dried orzo pasta
11 3 cups of chicken broth with reduced sodium
12 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
13 2 teaspoons of a blend of Italian herbs
14 1/2 cup of half-and-half
15 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
16 2 tablespoons of plain white flour

Method

01

Heat up your Dutch oven on medium with the oil in it. Break the sausage apart into crumbles and cook it till it’s nice and brown. It’ll take around 10-12 minutes. You’ll also see some bits sticking to the bottom - they’re flavor gold! Put the sausage in a bowl for now.

02

Pour in the wine (or just use broth if you're skipping the wine). Use it to scrape up all those sticky browned bits. Toss in the onions, celery, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir it around for five minutes till everything smells amazing and softens up.

03

Add the minced garlic and the Italian seasoning to your pot. Next up, sprinkle the flour over everything and stir well. You’re making a quick roux! Slowly pour in a little bit of the chicken broth and half-and-half, stirring as you go until it’s smooth.

04

Now, add the rest of the chicken broth slowly while stirring. Switch to medium-high heat, then mix in the sausage and the orzo pasta. Keep stirring off and on because orzo loves sticking to the bottom! Let it gently bubble for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked.

05

Turn off the heat. Stir in the rest of the half-and-half, some of the parmesan cheese (save the rest to serve), chopped spinach, and parsley. Let the soup sit for 10 minutes so it can thicken nicely. Give it a taste and add salt if needed. Dish it out with extra cheese sprinkled on top!

Cook's Tips

  1. If you only have sausage links, just squeeze the meat out—it’ll work like a charm!
  2. Using dry sun-dried tomatoes? Let them soak in some warm water for an hour to soften them up.
  3. As the soup cools, it’ll thicken up. If it gets too thick, just add a splash of heated broth to thin it back out!

Kitchen Equipment

  • A 4- or 5-quart Dutch oven or a sturdy soup pot
  • A good wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy
  • A sharp knife and cutting board for chopping everything

Allergen Guide

Check ingredients carefully for allergens. When in doubt, please consult your doctor.
  • Has dairy ingredients (parmesan cheese, half-and-half)
  • Contains gluten (flour, orzo pasta)