Recipe: Italian Orzo Spinach Soup

Italian Orzo Spinach Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1½ cups (about 8 ounces) whole-wheat orzo pasta
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 4 cups loosely packed spinach

Directions

1. In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, skillet, cook sausage until browned, using a wooden spoon to break beef into small pieces.
2. Add onion and saute for 4 minutes, until soft.
3. Add carrots, celery, and garlic and saute for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Add chicken stock, tomatoes, orzo, thyme, oregano, rosemary and stir to combine. Bring soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
6. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until it is bright green and wilted.
7. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. You also can add more of the thyme, oregano, and rosemary, if you’d like.
8. Serve warm, garnished with your desired toppings such as freshly grated Parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

Recipe Source: Adapted from Recipes.net