Dr Mobeus
One Pot Tomato and Orzo Soup
Orzo soup is the Italian answer to the question of what to make when you are cold, tired and broke. It is essentially tomato soup with tiny pasta cooked right in it, which sounds like a small change but transforms it from a side dish into a proper meal. At 34p a portion it is one of the cheapest hot meals you can make. The orzo releases starch as it cooks, naturally thickening the soup so it feels creamy without any actual cream. Two tins of tomatoes, a handful of pasta and some stock – that is the whole shopping list.
One-Pot Tomato and Orzo Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic and oregano, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes, sugar and vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally so the orzo does not stick to the bottom.
- Season with salt and pepper. The pasta will have thickened the soup into a hearty, bowl-filling meal.
- Serve in warm bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs and parmesan if you have them.
Tips and Variations
Stir the soup regularly once the orzo goes in or it will stick to the bottom. Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so add a splash of water or stock when reheating. Any small pasta works if you cannot find orzo – stelline, ditalini or even broken spaghetti. A dollop of pesto stirred in at the end is an excellent upgrade.
