Easy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Soup with Farro

Fresh, sweet Italian sausage simmered in a broth spicy Harissa-flavored savory broth with fresh, crisp broccolini, red bell pepper, carrots, mushrooms, and a farro and Israeli couscous mixture for an irresistible Italian chicken sausage soup.

Busy Weeknights

Turn your hectic weeknights into culinary satisfaction with the Easy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Soup featuring wholesome Farro and Israeli Couscous. This easy one-pot wonder is tailored for any night of the week, offering the perfect meal solution for busy schedules without compromising on flavor.

Picture the warmth of spicy Italian seasonings, the heartiness of tender chicken sausage, and the wholesome goodness of Farro and Israeli Couscous coming together effortlessly in a steaming bowl—a comforting combination that turns any evening into a culinary bliss. Embrace the simplicity of this recipe as it effortlessly boosts your dinner nights, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a satisfying and stress-free dinner option.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Side Suggestions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Cooking Tip
Frequently Asked Questions
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Food Safety
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Ingredients

This easy one-pot recipe includes simple ingredients for a quick dinner. First, brown the sweet Italian chicken sausage in a hot Dutch oven with olive oil. Then add and cook the aromatics by sweating the onion, carrots, cremini mushrooms, and chopped garlic.

Build the Base

Next, season the soup base by adding the Italian herb seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. When the sausage is browned and seasoned, you will deglaze the pot with sauvignon blanc wine to add depth of flavor. Then, add and cook down the Harissa paste and fire-roasted tomatoes to make a rich red color.

Finish the Soup

Add the low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer at the instant farro and Israeli couscous to cook, finish the soup with the red bell pepper, broccolini, fresh spinach (or kale), and arugula (or winter greens mix). Bowl up the warming goodness, top with an Italian cheese blend, and enjoy!

See the Italian chicken sausage soup recipe card for quantities.

ingredients for the easy spicy italian chicken sausage soup with farro and israeli couscous in containers on a round large pizza pan.

case removed and cut into chunks Italian sausage in a glass rectangular container

top view of chicken broth in a pyrex measuring cup

broccolini cut into thirds in a rectangular glass container

Instructions

Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.

browned italian sausaege in a dutch oven

Brown the sausage chunks to caramelize them to bring out a rich flavor.

browned italian sausage with tender mushrooms, carrots, onion and garlic in a dutch oven being mixed with a wooden spoon

Leaving the sausage in the pot will make the soup base more tasteful when you add the vegetables and sweat it all down by melding the flavors.

browned italian sausage with tender mushrooms, carrots, onion and garlic with crushed tomatoes and harrissa paste combined in a dutch oven being mixed with a wooden spoon

Adding the white wine, harissa paste, and crushed red tomatoes to cook down at this point will deepen the flavors and remove some of the acidity.

israeli couscous and instant farro dropped into the soup

Make sure to bring the flavorful broth to a rapid simmer to cook the instant farro and couscous at the right time, as indicated on its packages.

the completed spicy italian chicken sausage soup wtih farro and couscous, broccolinik, red bell pepper, carrots and mushrooms.

The soup will be done when the broccolini is bright, tender, and crisp to the bit.

Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab. In addition, some related detailed steps can be found there.

Side Suggestions

Serve with a side of mixed green salad with your favorite vinaigrette and toasted crusty bread.

Substitutions

Italian Sweet Chicken Sausage - Use Italian Sweet Pork Sausage or Spicy Sausage for a kick of more heat.
Cremini Mushrooms - Try baby Bellas, white or brown button mushrooms, or portobellos cut into medium dice.
Instant Farro - If you are not able to find this, try to pre-cook Farro, rinse one cup of Farro under cold water, and then combine it with three cups of water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 25-30 minutes or until the farro is tender but still has a chewy texture. Drain any excess water and use the pre-cooked farro as needed in your recipe.
Broccolini - Use broccoli florets cut into uniform pieces to cook evenly.
Grated Italian Cheese Blend - Use grated parmesan cheese or pecorino.

Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

top side view of the plated easy spicy italian chicken sausage soup with farro and israeli couscous

Variations

White Bean Soup - Replace any vegetables or just add the white beans, like cannellini beans or white kidney beans.
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup - Replace the farro and couscous for orzo.

Equipment

Dutch Oven - Used to cook this one-pot meal recipe. To develop this recipe, I used the trusty Lodge 6-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It's fantastic for its multi-function purpose, such as going on the grill or in the oven.

Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Storage

Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the hearty soup in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. As a result, the meal will last up to two days.

Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.

Air Tight Food Containers - I use Glass Food Storage Containers with a plastic clipping lid to store food. For example, I always suggest glass storage containers since you can microwave them and hold food without staining the container, and the glass keeps them at a more stable temperature, which keeps the food fresher longer.

Cooking Tip

For an extra burst of flavor in your Easy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Soup with Farro and Israeli Couscous recipe, make sure to sauté the vegetables and spices before adding the broth—this enhances the depth of taste. Additionally, for an incredible texture variation, the farro and Israeli couscous are added towards the end of the cooking time to ensure they remain tender yet pleasantly chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of sausage in this soup?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe using your preferred sausage type, even leaving it in the edible casing. Whether it's spicy, mild, or a different meat, the soup is versatile enough to accommodate various options while maintaining its rich and comforting flavor profile.

Can I make this soup ahead of time and reheat it later?

Certainly! This soup reheats well, making it a perfect option for meal prep. Allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Read more in the Storage section. Then, reheat gently on the stovetop, adjusting the seasoning if necessary, for a quick and convenient meal on busy days.

Can I substitute quinoa for the farro and Israeli couscous?

Absolutely! While farro and Israeli couscous add a delightful texture, you can easily substitute them with quinoa or any other grain of your choice. Just be mindful of the cooking time, as it may vary depending on the grain selected. Adjust accordingly for the perfect bowl of soup.

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Food Safety

Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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