Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup

Today in Dayton, OH, the temperature is currently 7 degrees with an expected high of 18. On bitterly cold winter days, my meal of choice is soup, and preferably one that is a stick-to-your-ribs soup. One of my “go-to” soup recipes is Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup: meat, veggies and pasta come together to make a delicious warm, hearty meal. Making this has also helped me continue with my New Year’s resolution to clean out my pantry. (I had just one can of chicken broth so I used beef broth for the rest of the broth and then emptied a couple boxes of orzo that had just a little bit left in each of them).  

“There is nothing like a plate or a bowl of hot soup, its wisp of aromatic steam making the nostrils quiver with anticipation, to dispel the depressing effects of a grueling day at the office or the shop, rain or snow in the streets, or bad news in the papers.”
~ Louis P. De Gouy, ‘The Soup Book’ (1949)

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup

6-8 servings

1-2 lb. Italian sausage (depending on how meaty you want your soup)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 small zucchinis, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 cup dry white wine (Trader Joe’s has inexpensive wines that are great for cooking)
5 cups chicken broth
(1) 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed with juice
1 tsp dried basil, crumbled
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Brown the sausage. Spoon out most of the fat and discard. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned. Add carrots, zucchini, pepper, wine, chicken broth, tomatoes, basil, and oregano and bring to a boil. When the soup is boiling, add the orzo and cook for 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve in heavy soup bowls. If desired, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each serving.

To prepare in advance: Like most hearty soups, this tastes best if it is cooled, refrigerated overnight, then reheated to serve. It may also be frozen.