Hearty and Irresistible Orzo Soup : 1 Bowl of Bliss

Hearty and Comforting Orzo Soup Recipe: A Bowl of Bliss You’ll Adore

Summary
Warm up with the ultimate comfort food: this Hearty and Comforting Orzo Soup Recipe! This soup is packed with tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and bright herbs simmered in a rich broth, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Whether you’re seeking a quick, easy dinner or a wholesome dish to soothe your soul, this recipe is the answer. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup is not only delicious but also versatile, perfect for any season or occasion.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 6 bowls
• Calories: Approximately 250 per serving

Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Equipment Needed

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: For cooking the soup evenly.
• Cutting Board: To prepare your vegetables.
• Sharp Knife: For chopping vegetables with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the ingredients while cooking.
• Ladle: For serving the soup neatly into bowls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accuracy with your ingredients.

Ingredients: FOR Orzo Soup Recipe

For the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing the vegetables)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (adds depth and sweetness)
• 2 carrots, diced (for color and natural sweetness)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (adds an earthy base flavor)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (for a rich, aromatic base)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (earthy, savory herb flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mediterranean herb for depth)
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (the heart of your soup)
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta (the star ingredient, small and tender pasta)
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (optional for added protein)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (adds texture and a slight tang)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped (for a nutritious boost)
• Juice of 1 lemon (brightens the soup with a zesty kick)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• Fresh parsley, chopped (adds color and freshness)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for a touch of richness)
• Crusty bread or crackers (perfect for dipping and soaking up the broth)

Instructions: FOR Orzo Soup Recipe

Step 1: Chop and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into small, evenly sized pieces. Mince the garlic, measure your orzo pasta, and have your broth, canned tomatoes, and greens ready to go.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables for Maximum Flavor

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness.
3. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and oregano. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to enhance the flavor of the herbs.

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Soup Base

1. Slowly pour in the low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to incorporate any browned bits (this adds extra flavor!).
2. Add the diced tomatoes along with their juices. Stir to combine everything thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo to Perfection

1. Once the soup base is boiling, stir in the uncooked orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
2. If you’re using cooked shredded chicken, add it at this stage. The chicken will absorb the flavors as it warms through.

Step 5: Add Nutrient-Packed Greens and Lemon

1. When the orzo is tender and cooked, add the chopped spinach or kale to the pot. Stir gently; the heat of the soup will wilt the greens within minutes.
2. Squeeze in the juice of one fresh lemon. The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy note that balances the richness of the broth. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

1. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a mix of orzo, vegetables, and broth.
2. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and flavor. Add grated Parmesan cheese for a creamy, savory touch.
3. Serve with a side of crusty bread or crackers to make the meal complete.

Notes for Perfect Orzo Soup

• Cooking Tip: Stir the orzo frequently while it cooks to prevent clumping or sticking to the pot.
• Make It Creamy: For a richer soup, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream right before serving.
• Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth and omit the chicken for a vegetarian-friendly dish.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth to loosen the consistency if needed.
• Freezing Tip: To freeze the soup, cook the orzo separately and add it to individual portions after reheating. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy.

Conclusion

https://stylnumberone.xyz/2024/10/09/johnny-cakes-recipe/This Hearty and Comforting Orzo Soup Recipe is a timeless dish perfect for any occasion, from busy weeknights to cozy family dinners. Its combination of tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and zesty broth makes it a satisfying meal for all ages.

Craving more wholesome soup recipes? Visit our collection of comforting soups for endless inspiration and discover your next favorite!

Hearty and Comforting Orzo Soup Recipe: A Bowl of Bliss You’ll Adore

Warm up with the ultimate comfort food: this Hearty and Comforting Orzo Soup Recipe! This soup is packed with tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and bright herbs simmered in a rich broth, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Whether you’re seeking a quick, easy dinner or a wholesome dish to soothe your soul, this recipe is the answer. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup is not only delicious but also versatile, perfect for any season or occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: For cooking the soup evenly.
• Cutting Board: To prepare your vegetables.
• Sharp Knife: For chopping vegetables with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the ingredients while cooking.
• Ladle: For serving the soup neatly into bowls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accuracy with your ingredients.

Ingredients

  

• For the Soup:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing the vegetables
• 1 medium onion finely chopped (adds depth and sweetness)
• 2 carrots diced (for color and natural sweetness)
• 2 celery stalks diced (adds an earthy base flavor)
• 3 garlic cloves minced (for a rich, aromatic base)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme earthy, savory herb flavor
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano Mediterranean herb for depth
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth the heart of your soup
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta the star ingredient, small and tender pasta
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken optional for added protein
• 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained (adds texture and a slight tang)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale roughly chopped (for a nutritious boost)
• Juice of 1 lemon brightens the soup with a zesty kick
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional Garnishes:
• Fresh parsley chopped (adds color and freshness)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for a touch of richness
• Crusty bread or crackers perfect for dipping and soaking up the broth

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Chop and Prep Your Ingredients
• Start by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into small, evenly sized pieces. Mince the garlic, measure your orzo pasta, and have your broth, canned tomatoes, and greens ready to go.
• Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables for Maximum Flavor
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness.
• Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and oregano. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to enhance the flavor of the herbs.
• Step 3: Build the Flavorful Soup Base
• Slowly pour in the low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to incorporate any browned bits (this adds extra flavor!).
• Add the diced tomatoes along with their juices. Stir to combine everything thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
• Step 4: Cook the Orzo to Perfection
• Once the soup base is boiling, stir in the uncooked orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
• If you’re using cooked shredded chicken, add it at this stage. The chicken will absorb the flavors as it warms through.
• Step 5: Add Nutrient-Packed Greens and Lemon
• When the orzo is tender and cooked, add the chopped spinach or kale to the pot. Stir gently; the heat of the soup will wilt the greens within minutes.
• Squeeze in the juice of one fresh lemon. The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy note that balances the richness of the broth. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Step 6: Serve and Garnish
• Ladle the hot soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a mix of orzo, vegetables, and broth.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and flavor. Add grated Parmesan cheese for a creamy, savory touch.
• Serve with a side of crusty bread or crackers to make the meal complete.

Notes

Cooking Tip: Stir the orzo frequently while it cooks to prevent clumping or sticking to the pot.
Make It Creamy: For a richer soup, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream right before serving.
Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth and omit the chicken for a vegetarian-friendly dish.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth to loosen the consistency if needed.
Freezing Tip: To freeze the soup, cook the orzo separately and add it to individual portions after reheating. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy.