Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

Why make this recipe

Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup is a comforting and delicious choice for a meal. It is easy to prepare, packed with nutrients, and warms you up on a chilly day. This soup is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a meal prep option for the week. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any fresh vegetables you have on hand.

How to make Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for sautéing

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
3. Add the diced carrots, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until slightly softened.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add the orzo pasta and fresh spinach, cooking until the orzo is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
7. Adjust the seasoning as needed and serve hot.

How to serve Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

Serve this soup hot in bowls. You can add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, grated cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil on top for extra flavor. This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

How to store Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

You can store leftovers of Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just remember to let it cool completely before freezing.

Tips to make Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

• For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese when serving.
• Feel free to mix and match vegetables depending on what you have available.
• Make sure to check the pasta occasionally to avoid overcooking it in the soup.

Variation

You can easily change the flavor of this soup by adding different herbs and spices such as thyme or parsley. If you like a little heat, try adding red pepper flakes. You can also add protein like cooked chicken or beans to make it heartier.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta instead of orzo?

Yes, you can use other small pasta shapes like ditalini or even rice if you prefer.

Is it possible to make this soup vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is already vegan as it uses vegetable broth and no animal products.

Can I add more vegetables to the soup?

Yes, you can add any vegetables you like! Think about adding green beans, peas, or even corn for extra nutrition.

Italian Vegetable Orzo Soup

A comforting and nutrient-packed soup that’s easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for sautéing

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
3. Add the diced carrots, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until slightly softened.

Cooking

1. Stir in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add the orzo pasta and fresh spinach, cooking until the orzo is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Adjust the seasoning as needed and serve hot.

Notes

For a creamier texture, add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese when serving. Mix and match vegetables to your liking. Check the pasta occasionally to avoid overcooking.