Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender Italian sausage, creamy cheese, and the distinctive tang of banana peppers. It’s perfect for cozy evenings when you want a rich, hearty soup with a twist.

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced banana peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage
• 1 heaping tsp minced garlic
• 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
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the tops off the banana peppers and green pepper, removing all seeds. Dice both peppers, reserving a few slices for garnish if desired. Finely chop the onion and set all vegetables aside.
2. Step 2: Spray a large stockpot with nonstick spray or add a little oil. Cook the mild Italian ground sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces until no longer pink. Remove the sausage and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced banana peppers, diced green pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked sausage to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and evaporated milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to combine.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, add the Parmesan cheese, cubed cream cheese, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the soup base is smooth.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld.
7. Step 7: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the simmering soup. Stir constantly for about 10 minutes, until the orzo is tender and the soup is creamy and hearty.
8. Step 8: Serve hot, garnished with reserved pepper slices for an added pop of color and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
• Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a slightly different creamy texture.
• For a vegetarian version, replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
• Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor—add them at the end to preserve their aroma.

Storage

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup thickens too much when chilled, add a splash of broth or milk while reheating to restore its creamy consistency.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peppers instead of banana peppers?

Yes, you can substitute with fresh mild peppers like bell peppers or Anaheim peppers; however, banana peppers add a distinctive tangy flavor that’s signature to this soup.

Is it okay to cook the orzo separately?

You can cook the orzo separately and add it to the soup just before serving to prevent overcooking, but cooking it directly in the soup helps it absorb flavors and thicken the broth.

Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

This Savory Orzo Stuffed Banana Peppers Soup is a hearty, creamy Italian-inspired soup that combines mild Italian sausage, tangy banana peppers, and tender orzo pasta in a rich broth enriched with Parmesan and cream cheese. It offers a flavorful and comforting meal perfect for cooler days, blending savory meats, aromatic herbs, and a luscious texture that pleases both the palate and the soul.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 & Oils

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

Liquids & Broth

• 4 cups chicken broth

Spices & 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: Start by cutting the tops off the banana peppers and green pepper, removing all seeds. Dice the banana peppers and green pepper, reserving some slices for garnish if desired. Finely chop the onion. Having all vegetables prepped ensures smooth cooking in the following steps.
2. Brown the Sausage: In a large stockpot, spray with nonstick spray or add a small amount of oil. If the sausage is not yet broken up, chop into small pieces. Cook over medium heat, breaking the sausage apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Remove the sausage and set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Without cleaning the pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced banana peppers, diced green pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent. This combination of butter and olive oil adds 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 heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to combine evenly. Once boiling, add the Parmesan cheese, cubed cream cheese, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt fully and the mixture is smooth.
5. Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. This allows the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken nicely.
6. Cook the Orzo and Finish the Soup: Add the uncooked orzo pasta directly into the simmering soup. Stir constantly for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed the soup’s rich flavors. The resulting soup will have a creamy, hearty texture. Garnish each bowl with reserved pepper slices for added color and brightness.

Notes

• Use mild Italian sausage for a balanced flavor; spicy sausage can also be substituted if a spicier soup is preferred.
• Reserve some banana pepper slices early for garnish to enhance the visual appeal and add fresh pepper flavor.
• Stir frequently when adding the cheeses to avoid curdling and ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
• The orzo pasta absorbs a lot of liquid, so adjust broth amount accordingly if using different pasta or altering quantity.
• This soup reheats well and can thicken further; add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen as needed.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth.

Keywords: banana peppers soup, orzo soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy soup, savory soup, easy stovetop soup, comfort food