Hearty Italian Sausage & Orzo Soup with Root Vegetables

Mild Italian sausage and tender orzo in a hearty soup with winter root vegetables and diced tomatoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 35-40 min

OH how we LOVE soup, let us count the ways…. Okay, a little dramatic, but seriously, it’s a one-pot miracle! This soup is especially hearty with the addition of seasonal root vegetables and -not to mention- Hidden Stream Farm’s Italian pork sausage. The sausage is filled with an array of spices that get infused into the broth for a boost of flavor.

Ingredients

Orzo

Diced tomatoes

Vegetable Broth Base

Thyme

Shallot

Garlic

Carrot

Parsnip

Turnip

Mild Italian sausage

Featured Ingredient Partners:

Italian Sausage: Hidden Stream Farms - Elgin, MN

Orzo: Sunrise Creative Gourmet - Hibbing, MN

Root veggies: Harmony Valley Farm

Sauté To jump. To fry in a small amount of fat at high heat.

Simmer To stew gently below or just at boiling point.

To Taste Words in a recipe that indicate the food should be tasted before adding any seasoning.

Medium deep sauté pan or pot

Step 1: MISE EN PLACE

Read though the entire recipe before getting started. Wash and dry all produce. Peel turnip and discard peel; then, dice. Peel parsnip and discard peel; then, dice. Peel shallot and discard peel; then, dice. Peel carrot and discard peel; then, dice. Mince or grate garlic. Remove thyme leaves from stems. Dissolve vegetable broth base in 3 cups warm water. Remove Italian sausage from package, pat dry.

Step 2: COOK SAUSAGE

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium, deep sauté pan or pot over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook breaking apart with a spoon or spatula until done, about 5-8 min. The USDA recommends cooking Italian sausage to an internal temperature of 160ºF.

Step 3: SAUTÉ ROOT VEGETABLES

Add turnip, parsnip, carrot, thyme, shallot, garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper to Italian sausage. Sauté 3-4 min until golden brown and aromatic.

Step 4: MAKE BROTH

Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and add orzo. Stir until incorporated.

Step 5: SIMMER SOUP

Simmer for 15-20 min until orzo is cooked and the broth flavors have developed. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: PLATE YOUR DISH

Divide soup between two bowls. Enjoy!