Description
This Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup is an irresistibly creamy, savory dish packed with Italian sausage, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender orzo pasta. It’s a one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Broth & Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Cook the Sausage
- In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add Italian sausage and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and slightly crispy.
- Remove excess grease, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pot.
-
Sauté the Aromatics
- Add onions and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
-
Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Toast the Orzo
- Toss in sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in orzo and let it toast for a minute to enhance its nutty flavor.
-
Pour in the Broth & Simmer
- Slowly add chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, until the orzo is tender.
-
Add Cream & Parmesan
- Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Stir continuously until the cheese melts into a creamy broth.
-
Season & Serve
- Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- To make it spicier, use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg