Description
A hearty and flavorful Vegetable Orzo Soup featuring a rich tomato-based broth, fresh vegetables, and tender orzo pasta. Perfect for a nutritious and comforting family meal, easy to prepare in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced in big chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Liquids and Pasta
- 6 cups vegetable broth (plus more if needed)
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
To Serve
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, zucchini, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, sweet paprika powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook with the vegetables for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the diced tomatoes along with their juices. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo pasta and bay leaves to the boiling soup. Stir well. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes or until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if needed during cooking.
- Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaves, then season the soup with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil. Serve with crunchy bread on the side and enjoy.
Notes
- This one-pot Vegetable Orzo Soup is packed with flavor and nutrients, making it ideal for meal prep or a quick family lunch or dinner.
- You can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes if preferred.
- If you like a spicier soup, increase the red pepper flakes to your taste.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free orzo or a similar gluten-free pasta.
- Adding a splash of lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
