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This cozy minestrone soup with sausage and orzo is pure comfort in a bowl! It’s hearty, packed with veggies, and full of rich Italian flavor. The sausage gives it a savory kick, while the orzo keeps it perfectly filling. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like it simmered all day.
Try our Italian Sausage and Orzo Soup or Italian Wedding Soup with Orzo next if you love cozy Italian-style soups.
Why You’ll Love It
Sometimes you just need a big bowl of something warm and satisfying, and this soup totally delivers. It’s easy to make, comes together in about 40 minutes, and uses everyday ingredients you probably already have.
- Flavor-packed broth: Simmered with sausage, tomato paste, and Italian herbs.
- Full of veggies: Zucchini, carrots, celery, and spinach make it hearty and healthy.
- Orzo pasta: Gives the soup a silky texture and turns it into a full meal.
- Perfect for leftovers: Even better the next day!
Helpful Tips
- For extra flavor, brown the sausage really well and scrape up all the golden bits before adding the broth.
- Want a thinner soup? Add an extra cup of broth.
- If you’re meal-prepping, cook the orzo separately and stir it in when serving so it doesn’t soak up too much broth.
- Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for restaurant-level flavor.
You’ll need
How to Make It
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Brown the sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage until golden, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Sauté the veggies: Add olive oil, onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and zucchini; cook another 2 minutes.
- Simmer: Return sausage to the pot and add tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, broth, seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook the orzo: Add orzo and cook until tender, 8–10 minutes. Stir in spinach until wilted.
Variations
- Swap sausage for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Use kale instead of spinach.
- Stir in a splash of cream for a richer, silky broth.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for more heat.
What to Serve With It
Serve this minestrone soup with Garlic Bread in Air Fryer, Naan Bread Recipe, or a simple green salad with balsamic dressing.
Leftovers and Storage
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens.
If freezing, leave the orzo out and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
❓FAQs
Yes! Ditalini, small shells, or elbow macaroni work great too. Just adjust the cooking time since some shapes take a few minutes longer to soften.
Definitely. This soup reheats beautifully! Just cook the orzo separately and add it when serving so it doesn’t absorb all the broth. Store both in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Yes, but freeze it without the orzo. Pasta tends to get mushy once thawed. Freeze the broth and veggies in airtight containers for up to 3 months, then add freshly cooked orzo when reheating.
Brown the sausage well, use good-quality broth, and finish the soup with grated Parmesan, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
If you made this Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Orzo, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below! We’d love to hear how it turned out and if you made any tasty additions. Your feedback helps others find and enjoy the recipe too! 💛
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Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2½ cups zucchini, diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease and remove to a plate.
- Add the olive oil, onion, celery, and carrots to the same pot. Cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and zucchini and cook 1-2 minutes more.
- Return the sausage to the pot, then add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add orzo and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes. Stir in spinach just before serving and cook until wilted, 1–2 minutes.If making ahead or storing leftovers: Cook the orzo separately in salted water, then add it to each bowl before serving. This prevents it from soaking up all the broth and turning mushy over time.
- Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For best texture, cook the orzo separately if you plan to store leftovers—it can absorb too much broth over time.
- Brown the sausage well before adding the veggies to build deep flavor.
- Add extra broth if the soup thickens as it sits.
- To make it lighter, use turkey sausage or skip the meat and double the beans.
- Stir in a Parmesan rind while simmering for extra richness, and finish with grated cheese and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I’ve made this three times – it’s THAT good. So hearty and flavorful. I froze half the batch and it reheated perfectly for easy lunches. My picky 7-year-old even asked for it again!
Three times? That’s the best compliment ever, Jennifer! And getting the picky eater seal of approval? You’re crushing it! Thanks so much for the review! 😊
Best minestrone I’ve ever had, hands down. The sausage adds so much flavor and makes it really hearty. I threw in some extra zucchini and green beans. This is the kind of soup that tastes even better the next day. Bringing the leftovers to work for lunch tomorrow!
Greg, love that you customized it with what you had on hand. Enjoy those leftovers!
This soup is absolutely delicious — full of veggies and flavor! The sausage gives it such a nice depth, and the orzo makes it hearty enough for dinner.
Thank you, Emily! 🥰 I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favorite soups for cozy weeknights too.
Perfect weeknight dinner! Hearty, flavorful, and packed with veggies. My wife said it tasted even better the next day.
Thanks, Mark! 😄 I agree — the flavors really deepen overnight. So happy you both enjoyed it!