Pizza Soup
This pizza soup is a fun, cozy dinner made with Italian sausage, vegetables, and a rich, pizza-inspired broth.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup pepperoni, halved
Instructions
Stove Top:
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage and diced onion until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Stir in the oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15–20 minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in the black olives and pepperoni. Let simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top each serving with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Instant Pot:
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the ground Italian sausage and diced onion. Cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking up the sausage until browned.
- Stir in mushrooms, green bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Pour in a splash of the vegetable broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and the rest of the vegetable broth. Do not add the mozzarella, olives, or pepperoni yet.
- Seal the lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes. Once done, do a quick release of the pressure.
- Stir in mozzarella cheese, black olives, and halved pepperoni. Let sit for a few minutes to melt the cheese and warm the toppings.
Notes
- Build Flavor in Layers: Browning the Italian sausage and onions first creates a deep, savory base for the soup.
- Don’t Skip the Simmer: Letting the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes allows the flavors to fully meld together.
- Customize Your Toppings: Add crispy bacon for a meat lovers’ version, jalapeños for spice, or fresh basil for an Italian twist.
- Cheese Tip: Add shredded mozzarella just before serving to keep it melty and fresh.
- Thicker Soup Option: If you prefer a thicker consistency, stir in a small amount of tomato paste or extra cheese.
- Perfect Pairings: Serve with garlic bread, a crisp salad, or parmesan crisps for extra crunch.
