Description

This hearty and scrumptious soup is quick and easy to prepare from items usually on hand (with limited chopping!) and loaded with flavor. My husband is half Italian, and this dish ranks at the tippy top of his soup list!

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

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 in to soup bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

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 about 1/2 cup.