Experience the comforting embrace of a classic Italian pizza, transformed into a warm and hearty bowl of soup. This Pizza Soup recipe delivers all your favorite pizza flavors – from savory sausage and spicy pepperoni to crisp green peppers and onions – simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth. Topped with gooey melted cheese and crunchy croutons, it’s a meal that truly satisfies.
The Ultimate Hearty Pizza Soup: Your New Favorite Comfort Meal
There’s nothing quite like a warm, flavorful soup to chase away the chill on a cold day, or simply to provide a satisfying meal after a long one. And when that soup manages to capture the essence of a universally beloved dish like pizza? Pure magic! This Pizza Soup is exactly that – a hearty, Italian-inspired concoction designed to warm you from the inside out. As a devoted soup and salad enthusiast, I can confidently say this recipe hits all the right notes. It’s incredibly flavorful, surprisingly simple to make, and guaranteed to become a new favorite in your culinary repertoire. Imagine all the delicious components of your go-to pizza, seamlessly blended into a comforting, spoonable delight. It’s a game-changer!
Why This Pizza Soup Will Become a Family Favorite
This isn’t just another soup; it’s a culinary experience designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal fuss. Here’s why it’s destined to be a hit:
- Unforgettable Flavor Profile: Each spoonful is bursting with classic pizza tastes. The robust Italian sausage, the subtle kick of pepperoni, the sweetness of onions, and the freshness of green peppers all mingle beautifully in a rich tomato base, elevated by aromatic Italian seasonings.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Unlike lighter soups, this Pizza Soup is incredibly filling. It’s packed with protein from the sausage and pepperoni, and substantial vegetables, making it a complete meal on its own. It’s perfect for those evenings when you crave something truly comforting and satisfying.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create such a deeply flavorful dish.
- Versatile & Customizable: Just like your favorite pizza, this soup can be adapted to suit your preferences. Want more veggies? Add them! Prefer a different protein? Swap it out! The possibilities are endless.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love pizza? This soup takes those beloved flavors and presents them in an exciting new format that even picky eaters are likely to enjoy. It’s fantastic for family dinners, gatherings, or a cozy night in.
Key Ingredients for an Authentic Pizza Experience in a Bowl
The magic of this Pizza Soup lies in its carefully selected ingredients, each playing a crucial role in replicating that authentic pizza flavor:
- Italian Pork Sausage: The foundation of our savory flavor. Italian sausage brings a rich, spiced meatiness that mimics the traditional pizza topping. You can choose mild or hot, depending on your preference.
- Onion & Green Pepper: These classic pizza veggies add a fresh crunch and aromatic depth to the soup, balancing the richness of the meat and tomato.
- Water: The liquid base for our soup, allowing all the flavors to meld together perfectly. You can also use vegetable or chicken broth for an even richer base.
- Pizza Sauce: The star of the show! High-quality pizza sauce provides the quintessential tomato and herb foundation that defines pizza flavor. Using two 15-ounce jars ensures a robust, saucy soup.
- Pepperoni: Essential for that unmistakable pizza kick! Chopped pepperoni adds a salty, slightly spicy, and deeply savory element.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes contribute additional texture and a burst of fresh tomato flavor, enhancing the overall richness.
- Sugar: A small but mighty ingredient! Just a teaspoon of sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, making the overall flavor smoother and more rounded without making the soup sweet.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and marjoram, providing an aromatic depth.
- Garlic Powder, Dried Basil, Dried Rosemary: These individual spices further amplify the authentic Italian flavor profile, giving the soup a fragrant and herbaceous aroma.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the meat and adjust the soup to your taste, bringing all the flavors into harmony.
- Garnish: Shredded Mozzarella Cheese and Croutons: The perfect finishing touches! Melted mozzarella creates that familiar cheesy pull, while garlic croutons add a delightful crunch.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Your Perfect Pizza Soup
Creating this flavorful Pizza Soup is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these simple steps for a truly satisfying meal:
- Brown the Meat and Veggies: In a large, sturdy pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium heat. Add your Italian pork sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Stir in the chopped green pepper and onion. Season the mixture lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the sausage is thoroughly browned and crumbled, and the vegetables have softened. This step builds the initial layer of flavor.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the sausage and vegetables are cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. This prevents the soup from becoming overly oily and ensures a cleaner, richer flavor.
- Add Tomato Base: Pour in both jars (or cans) of pizza sauce and the specified amount of water. Stir everything together well, ensuring the browned bits from the bottom of the pot are scraped up – these contain wonderful flavor!
- Introduce Spices and Key Pizza Elements: Now, it’s time to bring in the characteristic pizza flavors. Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dried basil, dried rosemary, and that crucial teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity. Next, add the chopped pepperoni and diced tomatoes. Give it another good stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This short simmer time allows all the spices and ingredients to meld together, deepening the soup’s rich, savory flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot pizza soup into individual bowls. While delicious on its own, for the ultimate pizza experience, we highly recommend garnishing with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese and a handful of crispy garlic croutons. The cheese will melt beautifully into the hot soup, adding a creamy, gooey texture, and the croutons provide a satisfying crunch.
Customizing Your Pizza Soup: Endless Possibilities
One of the best things about pizza is its endless customization, and this soup is no different! Feel free to experiment and make it your own:
- Meat Alternatives: Not a fan of Italian sausage? Ground beef, turkey sausage, or even shredded chicken (added towards the end) can work wonderfully. For a vegetarian option, try hearty mushrooms, chickpeas, or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
- Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by adding more vegetables! Sliced mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers of different colors, spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted), zucchini, or even corn can be delicious additions.
- Spice It Up: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with your other seasonings, or choose a hot Italian sausage.
- Cheese, Please! Beyond mozzarella, consider stirring in some grated Parmesan or provolone for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
- Herbacious Twist: Fresh basil or oregano, chopped and stirred in right before serving, can brighten the flavors immensely.
- Hearty Additions: For an even more substantial meal, consider adding cooked pasta (like ditalini or small shells) or rice directly into the soup during the last few minutes of simmering, or serve it on the side.
Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings
This Pizza Soup is incredibly satisfying on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate your meal even further:
- Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: The ultimate companion for any Italian-inspired dish! Crusty garlic bread or soft breadsticks are perfect for dipping into the rich, tomatoey broth.
- Side Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a wonderful contrast to the hearty soup, adding a refreshing element to your meal.
- Toasted Sub Rolls: Split and toast some submarine rolls, spread with butter and garlic, and sprinkle with Italian herbs for a truly comforting and dip-ready accompaniment.
- Extra Toppings Bar: Set out a variety of pizza toppings like extra shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or even a dollop of ricotta for everyone to customize their bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying Pizza Soup:
Why do you add sugar to tomato-based soups?
Adding just a touch of sugar to tomato-based soups and sauces, like this pizza soup, serves a vital purpose: it helps to balance out the natural acidity of the tomatoes. This doesn’t make the soup sweet; rather, it rounds out the flavors, making the tomato taste richer and less sharp. It’s a culinary trick used to enhance the overall harmony of the dish.
What are the best toppings for Pizza Soup?
While we particularly love shredded mozzarella cheese for its meltiness and garlic croutons for crunch, the beauty of pizza soup is its adaptability. Feel free to add any of your favorite pizza toppings! Sautéed mushrooms, a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese, a scattering of fresh basil leaves, sliced black olives, or even a drizzle of chili oil would be absolutely delicious and personalize your bowl to perfection.
Can spaghetti sauce be used instead of pizza sauce?
Absolutely! If you have spaghetti sauce on hand and no pizza sauce, it can be a great substitute. A 26-ounce jar or larger should work well. Just be aware that spaghetti sauce often has a slightly different herb profile, so you might want to adjust the Italian seasoning, basil, and rosemary to taste to ensure it still captures that distinct “pizza” flavor you’re aiming for.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, easily! Simply omit the Italian pork sausage and pepperoni. Instead, you can sauté extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers, or add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for protein. Ensure you use a vegetable broth if opting for a vegetarian version.
What kind of pot is best for making this soup?
A large, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven is ideal. The heavy bottom helps distribute heat evenly and prevents sticking, while the large capacity is perfect for simmering all the ingredients together comfortably.
Storage and Freezing: Enjoying Leftovers
This Pizza Soup makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigerator: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much.
- Freezer: Pizza soup freezes beautifully! Once cooled, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion. It will keep frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop until warmed through.
The beauty of this soup is its ability to stand alone as a flavorful meal, but adding a touch of shredded mozzarella cheese and crunchy croutons truly takes it to the next level. This optional step adds that authentic pizza parlor feel right in your own kitchen.
Conclusion: A Bowl of Pure Pizza Bliss
This Hearty Pizza Soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It brings together the beloved flavors of a classic pizza in a warm, comforting, and incredibly satisfying bowl. Whether you’re looking for a new weeknight dinner idea, a crowd-pleasing dish for guests, or simply a cozy comfort food for a chilly evening, this recipe delivers on all fronts. With its simple preparation, versatile ingredients, and undeniable deliciousness, it’s sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and get ready to dive into a bowl of pure pizza bliss!
Craving More Recipes? Give These a Try!
- Easy Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons
- Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
- Brunswick Stew
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Hearty Chicken and Noodles
- Homemade Pizza Sauce
Originally published: October 2013
Updated photos and republished: January 2021
The Best Pizza Soup
Pizza Soup is a hearty Italian-style soup full of flavors like sausage, pepperoni, green peppers and onions! Topped with cheese and croutons!
Rating: 4.78 out of 5 stars (9 Reviews)
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian pork sausage
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ½ cup green pepper, chopped
- 4 cups water
- 2 (15 ounce) jars or cans pizza sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) package pepperoni, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Garnish: shredded mozzarella cheese and croutons
Instructions
- In a large pot, over medium heat, brown and crumble sausage along with chopped green pepper and onion.
- Season the meat with a little salt and pepper. Once browned, drain any excess grease.
- Add in both jars (or cans) of pizza sauce and water, then stir to combine.
- Add in spices, seasonings, and sugar (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, rosemary, salt & pepper) along with the pepperoni and chopped tomatoes.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Serve hot. Garnish with shredded mozzarella cheese and croutons as desired.
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Notes
- Feel free to add in your favorite pizza toppings to this soup to make it the way your family will love. Mushrooms and olives would be great additions!
- Ground beef can be used instead of sausage for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 18g |
Protein: 25g |
Fat: 31g |
Sodium: 2209mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 13g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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