It’s very easy to make this soup spicier. Just use all hot Italian sausage and/or add more red pepper flakes than called for in the recipe.

Can I use another type of meat?

I’ve also made this soup with Turkey Italian Sausage, for my non-red meat eating friends.

What's a good substitute for orzo?

Any other small pasta would work in this recipe in place of the orzo - small elbow macaroni, ditalini or orecchiette would all work well.

Italian Sausage Spinach Soup with Orzo - A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®

Name: Italian Sausage Spinach Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 pound uncooked Italian sausage, casings removed if necessary; 2 cups chopped onion; 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped garlic; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2/3 cup dry white wine; 7 cups chicken broth or stock; 2 cups seeded and diced fresh tomatoes, or 1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained (see Tip below); 1 cup orzo pasta; 5 cups packed shredded fresh baby spinach; 3/4 to 1 cup (3 to 4 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound uncooked Italian sausage, casings removed if necessary
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2/3 cup dry white wine
7 cups chicken broth or stock
2 cups seeded and diced fresh tomatoes, or 1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained (see Tip below)
1 cup orzo pasta
5 cups packed shredded fresh baby spinach
3/4 to 1 cup (3 to 4 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and sauté until browned, breaking up meat with a spatula. Drain and discard oil.
Stir in onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the wine; reduce heat to low and simmer, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan, until wine is almost evaporated. Stir in the chicken broth, tomatoes and orzo. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer about 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
Stir in spinach; cook about 3 to 5 minutes or until wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Gluten free: Use gluten-free sausage and chicken broth or stock. Use DeLallo gluten-free Pasta Corn and Rice Orzo.

Make ahead: Soup can be prepared earlier in the day, cooled, covered and refrigerated. It can also be frozen for up to 1 month. You may need to add more broth when reheating.

Tip on tomatoes: If using canned tomatoes, don’t drain and reduce chicken broth by around 1/2 cup.

Author: From "Fresh Tastes" by Lee Clayton Roper
Category: soups, main dishes
Method: stovetop
Cuisine: Italian