Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
Author: 
Recipe type: Main dish
Cuisine: American
 
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾ pound Italian sausage links, casings removed
  • ½ red onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground fennel, optional
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
  1. Take ground sausage and roll them into small balls. Meatballs should be 1½-2 teaspoons in size.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add meatballs, searing until browned on all sides. Transfer sausage balls to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
  3. Add onion and celery and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until softened and translucent, then add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
  4. Season generously with salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, fennel and red pepper flakes.
  5. Pour in orzo pasta and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring so as not to brown, then pour in chicken broth, water and tomatoes (including juices).
  6. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 9-12 minutes, or until orzo is al dente, then reduce heat to low and return sausage meatballs to warm up. 4-5 minutes.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary, then stir in parmesan cheese and serve hot.
Recipe by Cooking TV Recipes at https://cookingtv-channel.com/italian-sausage-orzo-soup/