The Italian Orzo Spinach Soup is a rich and hearty soup brimming with the flavors of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and whole wheat orzo pasta. This mouthwatering dish makes a filling meal that's perfect for those cozy nights in.
While most of the ingredients for this soup are common in households, whole wheat orzo pasta and fire-roasted diced tomatoes might be the ones you need to add to your shopping list. Whole wheat orzo pasta is a short-cut pasta shape resembling a large grain of rice. It's a good source of fiber and makes a hearty addition to the soup. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes, on the other hand, add a smoky flavor to the soup that regular canned tomatoes just can't provide.
Ingredients for Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding a rich depth of flavor to the soup. White onion: Adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the soup. Carrots: Provides a sweet crunch and is high in vitamins and nutrients. Celery: Adds a subtle savory flavor. Garlic cloves: Gives a rich aroma and enhances the overall taste. Chicken stock: Forms the base of the soup, adding a deep, meaty flavor. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: These tomatoes add a smoky note to the soup. Whole wheat orzo pasta: This adds a pleasing texture to the soup and a slight nuttiness. Dried thyme, oregano, rosemary: These herbs add layers of aromatic flavor. Spinach: Brings a fresh, light element to the soup, along with lots of nutrients. Salt and black pepper: Enhance the flavor of the soup. Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes: Optional toppings for extra flavor and heat.
One reader, Judas Agnew says:
This Italian orzo spinach soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the orzo adds a delightful texture. It's a perfect blend of healthy and delicious. I highly recommend trying it out for a cozy and satisfying meal.
Cooking Techniques for Italian Orzo Spinach Soup Recipe
How to sauté vegetables: Sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in olive oil until they are soft and fragrant, which will take about 4-7 minutes.
How to simmer soup: Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
How to season the soup: Taste the soup and season it with salt and black pepper as needed, adjusting the flavors to your preference.
How to garnish the soup: Serve the soup warm and garnish it with freshly grated parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
How To Make Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
This rice-shaped pasta goes well in soup dishes such as this spinach soup recipe. Orzo is low-fat but rich in protein, perfect for this vegetarian dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspolive oil
- 1smallwhite onionpeeled and diced
- 1cupcarrotsdiced
- 1cupcelerydiced
- 3garlic clovespeeled and minced
- 6cupschicken stockor vegetable stock
- 14ozfire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 8ozDeLallo whole wheat orzo pasta
- ½tspdried thyme
- ¼tspdried oregano
- ¼tspdried rosemary
- 4cupsloosely-packed spinach
- 1tspsalt and black pepper
- freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakesoptional toppings
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 4 minutes, until soft. Add carrots, celery, and garlic and saute for an additional 3 minutes.
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Add chicken stock, tomatoes, orzo pasta, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and stir to combine.
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Bring soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
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Stir in the spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it is bright green and wilted. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
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Serve warm, garnished with your desired toppings.
Nutrition
- Calories: 310.13kcal
- Fat: 8.61g
- Saturated Fat: 1.69g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.83g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.40g
- Carbohydrates: 46.16g
- Fiber: 5.40g
- Sugar: 8.33g
- Protein: 12.89g
- Cholesterol: 7.20mg
- Sodium: 854.72mg
- Calcium: 128.26mg
- Potassium: 744.87mg
- Iron: 4.09mg
- Vitamin A: 287.67µg
- Vitamin C: 18.74mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
To ensure your orzo pasta cooks evenly and doesn't stick together, make sure to stir the soup occasionally while it's simmering. This will also help to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the soup. Additionally, adding the spinach towards the end of the cooking process will keep it vibrant and prevent it from becoming overly wilted.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and measure out ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
One-pot wonder: Opt for recipes that require minimal dishes and cook everything in one pot for easy cleanup.
Efficient chopping: Master knife skills to chop ingredients quickly and uniformly, saving time during prep.
Batch cooking: Make a large batch of soup and freeze individual portions for quick and convenient meals later.
Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize tools like food processors, blenders, and slow cookers to simplify cooking tasks and save time.
Plan your menu: Create a weekly meal plan to organize your cooking schedule and reduce last-minute decision-making.
Substitute Ingredients For Italian Orzo Spinach Soup Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
white onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly stronger flavor than white onions but can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar earthy sweetness to carrots and can be used as a substitute in this soup recipe.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that can replace the crunch and texture of celery in this soup.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic as a substitute in this recipe.
chicken stock - Substitute with vegetable stock: Vegetable stock can be used as a vegetarian alternative to chicken stock in this soup recipe.
fire-roasted diced tomatoes - Substitute with canned crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes can provide a similar rich, tomato flavor to the soup.
whole wheat orzo pasta - Substitute with regular orzo pasta: Regular orzo pasta can be used as a substitute for whole wheat orzo in this recipe.
dried thyme - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram has a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor to thyme and can be used as a substitute.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can replace oregano with its slightly sweet and peppery flavor.
dried rosemary - Substitute with dried tarragon: Dried tarragon can provide a similar earthy and slightly pine-like flavor to the soup.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can be used as a substitute for spinach, adding a hearty texture and earthy flavor to the soup.
salt and black pepper - Substitute with kosher salt and ground white pepper: These can be used as alternatives to regular salt and black pepper, providing a slightly different flavor profile.
Presentation Tips for Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
Elevate the plating: When presenting the Italian Orzo Spinach Soup, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing presentation. Use a wide-rimmed bowl to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of the soup.
Garnish with freshly-grated parmesan cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly-grated parmesan cheese on top of the soup just before serving. The rich and savory flavor of the cheese will add depth to the dish.
Add a touch of heat with crushed red pepper flakes: For a sophisticated kick, sprinkle a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes over the soup. This will not only enhance the flavor but also add a pop of color to the presentation.
Serve with artisanal bread: Accompany the soup with a side of warm, crusty artisanal bread. This will complement the flavors of the soup and provide a delightful textural contrast.
Incorporate fresh herbs as a finishing touch: Before serving, delicately place a few sprigs of fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, on top of the soup. This will infuse the dish with a burst of aromatic freshness.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Orzo Spinach Soup
- Chef's knife: A versatile tool used for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Stockpot: Ideal for making soups and stews in large quantities.
- Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients in the soup.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurately measuring out ingredients.
- Soup ladle: Perfect for serving the Italian orzo spinach soup.
- Grater: For grating fresh parmesan cheese as a garnish.
- Large stockpot: Used for cooking the soup in large batches.
- Skillet: May be used for sautéing the onions, carrots, and celery before adding to the soup.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
- Let the Italian orzo spinach soup cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. If using a bag, make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Refrigerator storage: The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to serve, reheat the soup in a pot over medium heat until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Freezer storage: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer the frozen soup to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw the soup in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Keep in mind that the orzo pasta may absorb more liquid and become softer after freezing and thawing. If the soup appears too thick after thawing, you can add a little chicken stock or water to adjust the consistency.
- For best results, consider adding fresh spinach when reheating the thawed soup to maintain its vibrant color and texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
To reheat leftover italian orzo spinach soup, start by transferring the desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel or a microwave-safe lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the soup is heated through and steaming.
For a stovetop method, pour the leftover soup into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Heat the soup until it reaches your desired temperature, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
If you find that the soup has thickened too much during storage, you can thin it out by adding a splash of chicken stock or water while reheating. This will help restore the soup's original consistency and prevent the orzo from becoming mushy.
To enhance the flavor of the reheated soup, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. These additions can help brighten up the flavors and make the soup taste as delicious as when it was first prepared.
If you have a large portion of leftover soup, you may want to reheat it in batches to ensure even heating throughout. This will also prevent the spinach from becoming overcooked and losing its vibrant color.
Interesting Trivia About Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
The Italian Orzo Spinach Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It is a great source of fiber, thanks to the whole wheat orzo pasta, and it provides a healthy dose of greens with the addition of spinach. This soup is also a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, as it contains carrots, celery, and tomatoes. Additionally, the fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a rich and smoky flavor to the soup. It's a versatile recipe that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.
Budget-Friendly: Is Italian Orzo Spinach Soup Cost-Effective?
This Italian Orzo Spinach Soup recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With affordable ingredients like carrots, celery, and spinach, it offers great value. The use of pantry staples like chicken stock and canned tomatoes keeps costs low. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15, making it a budget-friendly option. Overall, I rate this recipe a solid 9 for its affordability and delicious flavors.
Is This Spinach Soup Recipe Healthy?
This Italian orzo spinach soup recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced meal. Here's why:
- It includes a variety of vegetables such as onion, carrots, celery, and spinach, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- The use of whole wheat orzo pasta adds complex carbohydrates and additional fiber to the dish
- The recipe calls for a moderate amount of healthy fat from olive oil
- Chicken stock provides protein and flavor without adding excessive calories or fat
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a depth of flavor and provide additional nutrients like vitamin C and lycopene
While this soup is already quite healthy, here are a few suggestions to make it even more nutritious:
- Consider using low-sodium chicken stock to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish
- Add additional leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard to increase the vitamin and mineral content
- Include lean proteins such as shredded chicken or turkey to make the soup more satiating and balanced
- Experiment with adding other vegetables like zucchini, peas, or bell peppers to increase the variety of nutrients and flavors in the soup
- Use a smaller amount of pasta or replace it with quinoa or barley for a higher protein and fiber content
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Spinach Soup Recipe
This Italian orzo spinach soup recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The fire-roasted tomatoes add a rich depth to the broth, while the orzo pasta provides a comforting heartiness. The addition of spinach brings a pop of color and freshness to the dish. The blend of herbs creates a well-balanced and aromatic flavor profile. Overall, this soup is a satisfying and nourishing option for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends.
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Why trust this Italian Orzo Spinach Soup Recipe:
This Italian Orzo Spinach Soup recipe is a must-try for all soup lovers. Made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat orzo pasta, chicken stock, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes, it promises a burst of rich flavors. The addition of spinach not only enhances the nutritional value but also adds a vibrant touch. The blend of dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary infuses the soup with aromatic goodness. Plus, the finishing touch of freshly-grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes elevates the taste to perfection.
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