Description

This hearty broccoli and chicken sausage soup with orecchiette is a cozy, flavorful dish perfect for chilly evenings. Packed with nutritious broccoli, savory chicken sausage, and tender orecchiette pasta, this soup is rich, comforting, and incredibly satisfying. Infused with a Parmesan rind for extra depth, it’s an easy and wholesome meal for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large heads of broccoli, cut into florets and stems chopped
1 small white onion (or ½ large onion), finely diced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
7 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound uncooked chicken sausage, casings removed
8 cups good-quality stock (chicken or vegetable)
1 Parmesan rind
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

2 cups uncooked orecchiette pasta

For Garnish:

Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh basil, chopped
Additional grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Broccoli
- Cut the broccoli into small florets and chop the stems into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Cook the Chicken Sausage
- Add the chicken sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through.
Build the Soup
- Pour in the 8 cups of stock and add the Parmesan rind.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook the Broccoli
- Add the chopped broccoli to the pot.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
Cook the Orecchiette
- While the soup is simmering, cook the orecchiette pasta according to package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
Combine and Finish
- Once the broccoli is tender, remove the Parmesan rind from the soup.
- Stir in the cooked orecchiette and mix well.
Garnish and Serve
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For a thicker soup, mash some of the broccoli with a spoon before adding the pasta.
Make it dairy-free by omitting the Parmesan rind and cheese garnish.
For extra spice, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze for later: Let the soup cool, then freeze without the pasta. When reheating, cook fresh pasta and add it to the soup.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired