Sausage soup with Italian sausage and plenty of vegetables like kale along with filling beans and orzo comes together quickly in an Instant Pot. No Instant Pot? No problem. Make this hearty soup but can also be made on the stove top if your prefer.

Italian soup with orzo

After making this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, my family got hooked on those little pasta bites and I couldn’t wait to share another way to add them to another dish.

This soup is just as hearty as the lemon chicken soup, but the flavor profile is rich with Italian seasonings.

I’m certain you love this one just as mush as we do!

What will I need to make this sausage soup recipe?

Most of the items are stock pantry ingredients, expect for some of the fresh vegetables.

I even add some cabbage. Use the remaining head to make this cabbage beef skillet dish for another delicious meal.

You will need the following ingredients:

• Mild Italian sausage
• Low-sodium chicken stock
• Vegetables – Cabbage, carrots, onions, celery, kale: Switch out for spinach instead.
• Olive oil 
• Garlic
• Canned cannellini beans or black-eyed peas: Try garbanzo beans or navy beans.  
• Tomato sauce
• Spices – Italian seasoning, rosemary, dry powder mustard, black pepper, bay leaf
• Salt: If using low-sodium broth, add up to 1/2 teaspoon salt, then more if needed after it cooks. If using regular broth, you might not need any salt. 
• Parmesan cheese, optional
• Fresh basil or parsley, optional

Kitchen tools needed:

• 6 quart Instant pot
• Stock pot if cooking on the stove top.
• Measuring tools

How to make sausage kale soup in an Instant Pot

Make this soup in an Instant Pot is just 35 minutes! You will need a 6 quart pressure cooker to make this dish, although in the recipe card I will share how to make this on the stove.

Chop and Dice

First you are going to prepare all the vegetables by copping and dicing them.

Sauté

Now you will turn the Instant Pot to the “sauté” mode. Add the oil, onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté the vegetables for about 4-6 minutes.

Next, add in the sausage and minced garlic and sauté, breaking up the sausage until the meat is browned. Drain any fat and cancel the “sauté” function.

Carefully take the lid off and remove the bay leaf. Serve up and ENJOY!

How do I store my Italian Sausage Soup?

This soup will last in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. When you reheat, check the seasoning, and thin with broth if necessary.

To freeze soup, let it cool completely, then pour it into a 1-gallon heavy-duty freezer bag with as little air in the bag as possible.

Freeze flat, for 2 to 3 months.

What variations could I make to this soup?

Stock – You can substitute beef or vegetable stock for the chicken stock.

Vegetables – You can add many kinds of veggies to this soup, such as broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans.

Spice – You can also add heat in the form of crushed red pepper flakes or hot sausage.

Sausage – You can change the sausage to half and half ground beef and sausage, or a different protein altogether, such as chicken, chicken sausage, turkey, ground beef, etc.

Low Carb – To lower the carbs in this sausage soup you can omit the orzo without compromising the flavors of this soup or replace it with riced cauliflower.

Additionally, you can also omit the beans or swap them for a lower carb variety. Soy black beans or green beans are good swaps to lower the carbs. Each are 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2-cup.

I keep them because of the nutritional benefits (fiber, protein), and modify my macronutrients elsewhere in my meals.

Beans – you can use black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans or navy beans.

Italian Sausage Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe with Italian sausage then you also might enjoy these recipes:

• Sausage roll recipe – a great addition to a brunch menu to serve as an appetizer.
• Low carb biscuits with sausage gravy – pure comfort food keto style. Filling and delicious breakfast idea.
• Sausage queso dip – this is practically a meal in itself, but I share always share for game day or any time we want a quick and delicious dip.
• Cheese stuffed sausage recipe – Gooey cheese sausages in a chipotle and tomato sauce. Simple and satisfying.

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