Tomato Orzo Soup
This Tomato Orzo Soup is a hearty, comforting dish made with chickpeas, garlic, mirepoix, tomato sauce, and smoked paprika. Simple, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for a cozy meal.
5 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cups fresh or frozen mirepoix onion, carrot, and celery mix; about 1 pound
- 1/4 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic or 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 quart 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Sauté the Vegetables
- In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the mirepoix and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent, approximately 8 minutes.
Add Aromatics
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper. Continue cooking for 30 seconds, or until fragrant, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
Incorporate the Base Ingredients
- Add the vegetable broth, chickpeas, and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir to combine. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cook the Orzo
- Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and stir gently to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 6 to 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through and tender. Stir the soup occasionally during this stage to ensure even cooking and to prevent the pasta from settling at the bottom.
Season and Serve
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with minced fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
To make this Tomato Orzo Soup gluten-free, substitute the regular orzo with your preferred certified gluten-free orzo or small gluten-free pasta. Verify that the vegetable broth and all seasonings used are gluten-free. Adjust the cooking time as gluten-free pasta may require slightly less simmering.