Vegetable Orzo Soup + Easy & Healthy Recipe
A comforting and easy-to-make Vegetable Orzo Soup packed with wholesome vegetables, tender potatoes, and orzo pasta. This healthy recipe combines savory flavors with a hint of sweetness and fresh herbs, perfect for a nourishing meal any day.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Vegetables and Broth
- 2 medium potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 6–7 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup frozen sweet corn
Flavorings and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- ⅓ cup dry orzo pasta
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Prepare the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste is well incorporated.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Add the cubed potatoes, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and celery salt to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook Orzo and Simmer: Stir in the dry orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until the orzo is al dente and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Corn and Season: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the frozen sweet corn. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Acid: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Optionally, add fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to brighten and balance the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the soup warm, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- You can substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian/vegan option.
- Adjust the orzo cooking time slightly if you prefer softer pasta.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Add more or less vegetable broth to adjust the soup thickness to your liking.
Keywords: vegetable orzo soup, easy soup recipe, healthy vegetable soup, orzo pasta soup, vegetarian soup