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Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup Recipe

Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 15 reviews

This Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup is a rich and creamy dish featuring diced banana peppers and Italian sausage combined with orzo pasta. The soup is enhanced with a blend of sautéed peppers and onions, chicken broth, evaporated milk, and a luscious mix of Parmesan and cream cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs for a comforting, hearty meal perfect for any day.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 cups diced banana peppers (tops removed, seeds discarded, reserve a few slices for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper (tops removed, seeds discarded)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 heaping tsp minced garlic

Meat

  • 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes

Seasonings and Herbs

  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Pasta

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Peppers and Onion: Cut the tops off the banana peppers and green pepper, remove seeds, and dice both peppers. Finely chop the onion. Reserve a few pepper slices for garnish. Prepping vegetables ahead ensures smooth cooking.
  2. Brown the Sausage: Heat a large stockpot over medium, spray with nonstick or add a little oil. Chop the Italian sausage if needed and cook, breaking into small pieces, until no longer pink. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add diced banana peppers, chopped green pepper, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté about 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and translucent. Butter and olive oil add rich flavor and help prevent burning.
  4. Build the Soup Base: Return cooked sausage to the pot with vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil. Add Parmesan cheese, cream cheese cubes, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir continuously until cheese melts and mixture is smooth.
  5. Simmer the Soup: Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This melds the flavors and thickens the soup.
  6. Cook the Orzo and Finish the Soup: Add uncooked orzo pasta to the simmering soup. Stir constantly for about 10 minutes until orzo is tender and has absorbed flavors, resulting in a creamy, hearty texture. Garnish with reserved pepper slices before serving.

Notes

  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
  • If you prefer less heat, use milder banana peppers or reduce quantity.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian but omit sausage or replace with plant-based alternative.
  • Stirring frequently during orzo cooking prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
  • For an extra creamy texture, allow soup to rest a few minutes before serving.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: savory soup, orzo soup, banana peppers, Italian sausage soup, creamy soup, cheesy soup, hearty soup, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/savory-orzo-stuffed-banana-peppers-soup-recipe/