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Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup Recipe

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

4.8 from 20 reviews

This Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish combining tender orzo pasta with a savory blend of ground Italian sausage and diced banana peppers. Enhanced with Parmesan and cream cheese, and infused with aromatic herbs, this soup offers a comforting meal perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 cups diced banana peppers
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 heaping tsp minced garlic

Meat

  • 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage

Dairy

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

Liquids & Oils

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

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

Grains

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Peppers and Onion: Cut the tops off the banana peppers and green pepper, then remove the seeds. Dice the banana peppers and green pepper, reserving a few slices for garnish if desired. Finely chop the onion and set aside. Having all your vegetables prepped ahead of time keeps the next steps moving smoothly.
  2. Brown the Sausage: Spray the bottom of a large stockpot with nonstick spray or add a little oil if you prefer. If your Italian sausage isn’t already broken up, chop it into small pieces. Cook the sausage in the stockpot over medium heat, breaking it up further with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Remove the cooked sausage from the pan and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, diced banana peppers, diced green pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. This combination of butter and olive oil gives the vegetables a richer flavor and prevents burning.
  4. Build the Soup Base: Return the cooked sausage to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and evaporated milk. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to combine. Once boiling, add the shredded Parmesan cheese, cubed cream cheese, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir continuously until the cheeses begin to melt and the mixture is smooth.
  5. Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. This simmering allows the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken.
  6. Cook the Orzo and Finish the Soup: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the simmered soup. Stir constantly for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed some of the broth’s flavor. The soup should become creamy with a hearty texture. Garnish each bowl with the reserved pepper slices for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Notes

  • Reserve some banana pepper slices for garnish to add visual appeal and extra flavor.
  • Sautéing vegetables in a blend of butter and olive oil enhances richness and prevents burning.
  • Keep stirring when adding cheeses to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without clumps.
  • Use mild Italian sausage for a balance of flavor without overpowering heat, but spicy sausage can be substituted for a spicy kick.
  • Simmering the soup before adding orzo allows flavors to deepen and thickens the base properly.
  • Orzo cooks quickly; keep stirring to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: orzo soup, banana pepper soup, stuffed pepper soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy soup, Parmesan soup

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