This deliciously filling soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe that can have dinner on your table in under an hour. It’s packed with flavor and a hearty bowl of soup thanks to the added Orzo Pasta. If you aren’t wanting a vegan version you can add cooked ground beef or chicken.

What is Orzo and Why Should I Add it?

If you are not familiar with Orza, don’t worry, it is easily found in most grocery stores around the world right on the pasta aisle.

Orzo is a thin,rice-shaped pasta that is made from semilina flour. It is known in many regions of the world including Italy, where they label it as pastina, meaning “little pasta”.

Orzo is a great pasta option to use in soups, like this Orzo Vegetable Soup, but you can use it in any number of pasta dishes or recipes where a petite, hardy pasta would work well.

I love adding the Orzo to my soups because it helps bulk the soup up a little bit more to fill the hungry growing teen I feed.

He loves pasta, so anytime I can give him pasta and surround it full of other healthy veggies, I’m all for it.

Orzo is super easy to cook, and since it is so small it will only take about 8 to 10 minutes of cooking when adding it to your soup.

It will reach a nice tender, but not overcooked, state in that short period. It reheats well in the soup as well, so it is perfect for large batches of soup that can be enjoyed all week.

Easy One Pot Dump and Go Meal!

This soup is composed of all simple ingredients that you “dump” or combine all into one pot and cook. The recipe is delicious and one that I have been making for my family for a while now.

We didn’t always claim to be soup people, I know, I know. But we only had soup once in a while and only when I needed some fast when our family was sick.

So, yes, this recipe initially earned a spot in our family’s menu plan because one of us was under the weather and I needed something meatless and oilless during our Lent fasting time.

For Orthodox Christians, this is a time when we abstain from all meat products and oils, particularly olive oil. So for my fellow Orthodox, this soup falls into the category of fast-friendly recipes you can feed your family.

I came up with this soup simply because it called for basic ingredients that I had in my freezer and pantry, and I didn’t have to run out and buy anything.

It is also a very frugal meal that can stretch and feel a crowd when needed. So that’s another bonus for those of us who need cheap and healthy meals fast.

Even though this soup was at first something I just threw together in a hurried situation, it has become a meal that we enjoy again and again because something about that classic blend of Orzo Pasta and veggies is just comforting and delicious.

How To Make Vega Orzo Vegetable Soup

When I say this soup is simple, I mean it. The words “dump and go” may not do this recipe justice when it comes to a flowery food description, but it is all you have to do to make this soup.

I use my Instant Pot on the “Saute” function because I like to make my soup early in the morning and let it set on warm throughout the day so the soup is ready when my family is ready to eat.

So to begin I put my Instant Pot on the counter and press the button to start the heating process for the pot

Then I layer in the veggies starting with the onions, celery, peas and carrots, corn, and beans. It doesn’t even matter what order you add these, that’s just my preference.

Once all the veggies are in you’ll add in your spices and pour over your broth or stock before stirring the soup well to combine everything.

Let the soup come to a boil and cook for about 30 minutes until all the veggies are tender. This will not take long since most of our ingredients are already cooked or flash-frozen.

We are just cooking the onions and celery and letting all the flavors marry together as the Orzo Vegetable Soup simmers.

You may have to hit the Instant Pot button and keep the soup simmering after cooking the veggies since you will need to cook the pasta now.

Once your soup has come to a boil and simmered for 20 to 30 minutes add in the Orzo and let it boil for an additional 10 minutes until the pasta is tender.

After the pasta is cooked your soup is ready to serve and enjoy!

What Pasta Can I Use Instead of Orzo?

We’ve talked about Orza, and how it is a great pasta option for soups since it cooks quickly and reheats well in the soup.

I enjoy the texture of orzo in this soup, but if don’t have any one hand and do not want to run out and buy some at the grocery store you have options.

You can use about 8 ounces of any shape and variety of pasta that you have in the pantry or can find easily in your local stores.

Other types of pasta may swell up more and get a little mushier, but they will still taste nice. Also remember, that larger forms of pasta may soak up more of the broth, so have some extra stock or broth on hand in case you want to add more.

We like a more thicker, less brothy, soup so we don’t mind the 8 cups in this soup after the Orzo cookies, but your family may be different so do what works best for your taste buds.

Can Meat Be Added to Orzo Vegetable Soup?

Yes, if you are not needing to keep this soup Vegan or vegetarian you are welcome to add some meat to this soup for more protein.

On days we make this with meat I like to use ground beef for a beef veggie soup feel, but I’ve also used chicken breast that I’ve cut into bite-size pieces.

To add the meat to your soup, I suggest adding a little bit of oil to the bottom of your Instant Pot and sauting your meal until almost completely cooked.

Before you move forward with adding the veggies, drain any excess fat from the pot and add the meat back in. Then you can follow the rest of the recipe card starting with adding in the veggies and spices.

For this size recipe, I’d add about a half pound of meat, or a pound if you double the recipe or just want a meatier soup.

For us wanting to up the protein, but keep it vegan, we can add another can of beans of your choice.

How to Make Orzo Vegetable Soup on the Stovetop

For those wanting an option without the Instant Pot, no worries, this soup is just as quick and easy to make on the stovetop.

Start with a large soup or stock pot and just follow the same steps in the recipe card, except instead of pressing the saute button, you’ll turn your stove burner to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil.

If you are adding meat, remember to brown off the meat, drain, and then start adding the veggies to your soup pot.

You’ll add the Orzo or pasta of your choice at the same time in the recipe as you would with an Instant Pot.

Recipe Tips and Variations for Orzo Vegetable Soup

Before we get to the full printable recipe below here are a few variations to the soup recipe that might be helpful.

• Add Additional Veggies: I just use a basic few veggies in this version of my soup, but many different options will also work in this soup as well like potatoes or sweet potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini or yellow squash, broccoli, cauliflower, black beans, navy beans, or rutabaga.
• Add Some Healthy Greens: We love leafy greens, and sometimes I love to add chopped Kale or baby spinach to this soup. If adding the greens, simply wilt them in while you are cooking the Orza for the last ten minutes.
• Make The Soup Gluten-Free: Orzo is a wheat-based pasta, so not a good choice for anyone needing a gluten-free option. I’ve heard there is a gluten-free option of Orzo, but I haven’t seen it in my local grocery store yet any of your gluten-free pasta shapes would work as well. See the package of your pasta to get an idea as to when you would add it so it has time to cook fully Another great gluten-free filler in this soup would be rice. You can add it during the last 20 minutes of cooking and you may need an additional bit of stock if your soup gets too thick for your liking as the rice cooked.
• Don’t need a Vegan Soup: Add in a meat option of your choice like ground beef or turkey and some chicken breast. Cook the meal first, then proceed with the rest of the directions in the recipe card to make the soup.
• Want a creamy element? A nice way to add a creamy texture is adding a can of coconut cream. I promise it doesn’t give a ton of coconut flavor, but you can opt for cream or milk if you don’t need a dairy-free option.

Continue to Content

Yield: 8 to 10 Servings

Orzo Vegetable Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This meatless dinner recipe features a hearty vegetable soup that is packed with flavor and extra hearty thanks to the orzo pasta that is added.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 12 ounces of frozen peas and carrots
• 12 ounces of frozen corn
• 2 cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons of onion powder
• 2 Tablespoons of Italian Season
• 8 cups of vegetable stock
• 1 cup of Orzo Pasta

Instructions

1. In a large pot add in all the vegetables and the seasonings. Stir well to combine.
2. Add all of the vegetable stock over the veggies and bring the soup to a rolling boil.
3. Boil the soup for about 20 minutes or until all the veggies you use are tender. This may take longer if you have added extra veggie options per the recipe suggestions in the blog post.
4. Once the soup has simmered and veggies are tender add in the dry Orzo Pasta and let it boil for 10 minutes.
5. The soup is ready to serve when the Orzo is cooked and tender.
6. Serve hot. See the blog post above for suggestions on what to serve with his Orzo Vegetable Soup.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1 bowl
Amount Per ServingCalories 170Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 727mgCarbohydrates 34gNet Carbohydrates 30gFiber 4gSugar 6gProtein 8g

I am not a nutritionist. If you have strict dietary needs I always recommend using an online nutrition calculator to calculate your totals using your exact brands you're using in this recipe as values may vary per brand.

Keri Bucci

I am a southern girl through and through that loves to laugh, cook, read and spend time with family. My passions outside of home schooling my son are ministering to those in need and creating art in the kitchen! Every day is an adventure in our little house and I wouldn’t trade it or the chance to share here with you for anything!