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!