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Stracciatella soup is a really quick Italian classic made with chicken broth, egg, parmesan, fresh spinach and orzo. Basically an Italian egg drop soup, which takes under twenty minutes to make so it’s perfect for any weeknight.
Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo
Spinach Stracciatella Soup with OrzoMy little one doesn’t like spinach, so I make hers without. Perfect served with a crusty bread or garlic bread on the side.
More of my favorite pasta soup dinner recipes I enjoy when the weather starts getting colder are Chicken Soup with Spinach and Whole Wheat Acini Di Pepe, Chicken and Cavatelli Soup, and Asian Beef Zoodle Soup.
Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo
Stracciatella soup is a really quick Italian classic made with chicken broth, egg, parmesan, fresh spinach and orzo. Basically an Italian egg drop soup, which takes under twenty minutes to make so it's perfect for any weeknight.
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 7 cups less sodium chicken broth
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 6 oz baby spinach
- 4 oz uncooked orzo
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring 6 cups chicken broth to a boil.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining cup of cold chicken broth with eggs, cheese and parsley and whisk well.
- Whisk into the boiling pot and cook 3 to 4 minutes.
- Bring back to a boil and add the orzo and cook according to package directions.
- When pasta is done, add the baby spinach and mix until it welts.
- Remove from heat, add salt (if needed) and pepper to taste.
- Ladle into bowls and top with additional grated cheese.
Last Step:
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*Use vegetable broth for vegetarian.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 127 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 10 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 2.1 g, Cholesterol: 69 mg, Sodium: 868 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g
Weekday staple! I love this recipe. It’s so easy and delicious. I almost always have these ingredients on hand and if I don’t it’s pretty forgiving for similar substitutions. Plus my kids love it too! Thank you!
Terrific and easy, Something can make on the spur of the moment. I used fresh romano as didn’t have parmesan –after coming to a boil it before adding the orzo it got a bit clumpy? So many the type of cheese or not sure–but the flavors were wonderful. might wait to add cheese till end next time or just to the individual serving. Did anyone else have that happen, maybe too much boiling as I wasn’t watching it closely as I was chopping up the spinach and looked over and it was really boiling hard–so might have been that. But regardless, loved the soup and would do it again any time.
this looks delicious! possible to make without cheese/dairy free?
Thank you! You’re recipes are the best! I just made the stracciatella it was so good and i didn’t even add any salt! As always, amazing!
This is my favorite go to recipe for a great soup that even my 3 year old grandson loves! I make it in big batches and just add the orzo separately (so it doesn’t get soggy). It’s perfect for lunch at the office.
Can I make this soup earlier in day to serve at night?
Absolutely! Maybe wait to add the orzo though so it doesn’t soak up all the broth…
I absolutely love this recipe. It’s so quick and simple but super tasty. A staple in my repertoire . Thankyou x
Another winner!!
My mom tells me my grandfather used to call this "scratch yer belly soup". He always made it with pastina and escarole. This soup is fantastic on a winter afternoon when everyone's home.
Hi! I am a beginner cook and I like to meal prep my lunches for the week. I know this is probably a stupid question, but with the egg in there could I make this and portion out to 5 days for work lunches? It sounds sooo delicious and one of my ww goals is to try cooking more from scratch. I just bought your cookbook too-I'm so thankful for so many recipes that sound like something my husband would actually eat too! Thank you!!! 🙂
Gina,
Could you substitute no salt chicken stock for chicken broth? One whole box (32 ounces) of Swanson no salt chicken stock is only 1 point. Just wondering…..thanks!
This soup is awesome… I'be been doing some batch cooking today and this one will be going to lunch with me at work during the week!
Do you use parmesan in the shaker can or real grated stuff in a tub??? BTW, I love your recipes. My first experience with Quinoa was with your Sweet Potato Soup and now I put it in all my cream soups!
Fresh grated or shaved – not the powder stuff
There are two calorie counts for this soup. Which one is correct?
Any recommendations of how to make this gluten free for my husband? What would you substitute in place of the orzo?
I left the orzo out this weekend just because I didn’t have any on hand, but you might try veggie “noodles”
Gina, does this soup freeze well?
I have frozen this soup with wonderful results… I make a big batch
Do you cook the orzo in the soup?
Can't wait to try this soup. Love it in restaurants and decided to try and make it myself. Do you think that this would freeze well? I live alone and like to be able to freeze food for future use.
Want to make this tonight. I don't have Orzo. Would brown rice or quinoa be a good substitute?
We had this for dinner last night and loved it. I wasn't sure it would be filling enough, but it really was!
We had this for dinner last night and loved it. I wasn't sure it would be filling enough, but it really was!
I am making this today, however I noticed that you have two calorie counts for it: 126 and 113.4. Which one is right?
This sounds so delicious and I really want to try it, but I'm wondering if it's possible to make/would turn out alright if I just used the egg whites and not the whole eggs? Anything to keep the cholesterol level down 🙂
Thank you!
This is our 4 year old's favorite dinner. He begs for this soup all year long. We use so many of your recipes with spinach that he often tells people, "I love spinach!" Thank you for making healthy and delicious recipes!
Made this tonight. So delicious! One of my few go to favorites!
SOOOOO good. The only thing I would change is add a little more broth. I made it because I had a cold the other day and I was really lookin forward to sip the broth but there wasn't much 🙁 I added a can of chickpeas (with the liquid) too, Regardless it was awesome. Quick, easy and cheap.
After having to go to 3 markets to find orzo in stock (who would have thought it would be so hard to find?) I finally made this. I only made half of the recipe – I always like to make a smaller amount to test out in case we don't like it (which really hasn't happened on this site). Hubby was disspointed when he went back to the pot for more and there was none. So I will defintiely make it again. So easy and tasty.
What a wonderful soup for lent. Hubby and I just had for lunch…YUM!
Very Good! Just made this tonight 🙂 Will make again.
I was looking for a soup that was quick and easy. I had all the ingredients for this recipe already. It came together so quickly and it exceeded my expectations. I'll definitely be making this many more times when I want something quick, easy, and delicious!
Side Note: I used regular grated Parmesan/Romano grated cheese because it's what I had on had. However, next time I will get a Parmiggiano Reggiano block (as suggested) and finely grate it myself (texture came out a tad grainy with the pre-grated stuff, but definitely did not take away from the taste).
Soup is a comfort food for me….and with it being a damp, chilly fall day & was craving a healthy soup option to make. Had all the ingredients on hand. This soup came together quickly! You have no idea just how much 9oz of spinach is until you weigh it out! Flavorful bowl of goodness….thanks again Gina for all you do!
I just made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I added a little bit of fresh lemon juice at the end and I think it really enhanced the flavor of all of the ingredients. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for all of your amazing recipes!
Hi Gina! I made this soup over the weekend and loved it! Do you know how many points plus this would be per serving?? Only the calories is listed above. Thanks!
Thanks Val!
Hey Pattie, no that's correct, will look a little like eggdrop soup.
Gina – Your recipies are all SO good! I made this one the other night though, and I was worried I had ruined it, because the egg scrambled a little when I mixed it into the pot of boiling stock. Is that the way it is supposed to turn out, or would it be better to temper the eggs first and then add the tempered egg mixture to the boiling pot?
Thanks, Pattie
This is amazing! I just made it and can't wait to bring it in to my WW friends for lunch tomorrow!
Excellent! Glad you liked it!!
WOW! Gina your awesome! Great soup dish. I've already lost weight on WW and will continue to prepare your wonderful dishes for my family! Thanks for a WONDERFUL website 🙂
@valentinegirl – Oh that's great! I didn't know Allrecipes had a discussion forum. Welcome!
I found your website today after someone recommended you in an Allrecipes.com discussion forum. Your recipes look great, and although I'm not currently doing WW, they are sensible, healthy, delicious looking meals. I will totally be going through all of your archives!
Thank you Becky!!!
When I want to print off these wonderful recipes, I highlight and copy, then paste into a word document. That way I only get the recipe. Or you can highlight the text/pic you want, then right click, print, and in the print box choose the option to print selected text only. Good Luck!
Gina – I ADORE your recipes!!! Thank you sooo much for taking the time to share them with the rest of us.
PS – I always include your "Ginas Weight Watchers Recipes" in my print out so I know where I got them and can share your wonderful website with others.
Thanks again!!
@Jena, I'm not sure, I haven't tried it with egg substitute, but give it a shot!
Hi Gina.I love your site! Your recipes make it so much easier to stay on WW and my husband even says he likes the recipes.
Question- Would this soup come out ok if I used egg substitute instead of the eggs?
Thanks, Jena
LOL, it's not always easy to please everyone. In my house for instance, I'm always experimenting. Trust me, there have been failed dinners, I just never post them, but we still eat them.
I made this for dinner tonight – it was yummy! Mine wasn't as pretty as yours since I used a Rotisserie chicken broth I found at the grocery – but it was so good. My husband said, "Soup again?" :o( I love soup and make it once a week. I asked him if he totally hated it and he said, "No, it is actually pretty tasty." So, good news!
Gina, first congrats on your new little one. 1st time posting & have to tell you this soup is now a staple in my home. It's so easy to make & absolutely delicious. Keep up the good work!
It should be delicious from the illustration. Moreover, it is healthy from the ingredients that you use to cook this dishes.
Hmm, you stumped me Ashley. Did you stit the orzo after you put it in? It's pasta so if you don't stir it, like any pasta, it will stick together. Sounds like that may have happened. Sorry it got ruined!
I just tried making this soup tonight and it was a disaster. Not anything wrong with the soup (just the chef =O) ), but after I put everything in and cooked it on low for 3-4 min, i added the orzo and stepped away for about 2 minutes, when i came back I had burnt everything. The cheese and orzo burned on the bottom of the pot when I turned the heat up to boil the orzo. I ended up having to throw everything away. Are you supposed to keep stirring, or did I do something wrong???
This is my first time leaving comments at your site. But, this is not my first time visiting your site. I found your site is fantastic and with the delicious recipes and always new. Maybe not so new, but, you know how to make innovation so it become WOWW!! Maybe we can exchange link? Already Stumble upon it.
Baba,
Website: How to Lose Weight
Glad you all like it, this soup has always been a favorite. It's often made without pasta which would be great if your not eating carbs or if you are on a gluten free diet. Just add another egg. The Parmesan cheese gives it such great flavor.
@Mindy- yes, bring back to a boil when you add the orzo like you normally would cook pasta. You could also use pastina.
The soup was AMAZING! I had leftover for lunch just now. It's creamy and brothy and tastes like comfort food – I can't believe it's good for you. I love your recipes, Gina! Keep 'em coming.
p.s. one question: Should you bring the broth back up to a boil after you add the orzo? I did, and it turned out fine, but I just want to make sure I'm doing it right.
I'm trying this soup tonight. Will report back in the morning with details!
Sounds great. I love soups this time of year, they are such a great comfort food.
Gina! I love your site. I find myself checking your site more frequently throughout the week hoping to see new recipes. I just want to thank-you for your awesome site. My family loves the recipes and I refer my friends here too. Thanks!!!!
I've never ever tried orzo!! This soup looks great though!
@ anonymous- Maybe when you print, tell it to print page one only. This way you don't print extra pages. Sorry for the problem!
@ TJ- You're welcome!
@ Colleen – That's great to hear about your weight loss and happy your skinny friends like the pie and crisp!! Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing with Mom in Florida!
Hi Katie, No problem, 4 oz of orzo is 2/3 of a cup. Good luck with your weight loss!!
hi! i actually just found your site today and am very, very excited about making some of your recipes! but i have a dumb (read: newbie) question. i've ordered a food scale with ounces but, 'til it arrives, wondered if you could take a stab at how much (ish) 4 oz of orzo is in terms of cups or tablespoons.
and sorry; i know this is kind of an annoying question, but this soup looks great and i don't want to wait for my scale to ship to make it!
thanks so much and i look forward to making your recipes as i (and weight watchers) work towards a skinnier, healthier me!
Sorry for the typo.
PS: I sent your link to my Mom in Florida (she's 79 and has been on a diet since the 70s). She, too, swears by your recipes.
-Colleen
Pittsburgh, PA
Gina,
I've been meainig to thank you for all your yummy and healthy, low-fat recipes. I've lost 15 pounds, in large part to your site. My skinny friends love your pumpkin cheesecake and demand your apple crisp when they visit. I've made so many of your dishes that I know them by heart.
Cheers to you!
Colleen
aww my grandma use to make this for me. 🙂 Im gonna have to make it soon! 🙂 thanks for sharing!
loving this soup!
Gina, I love your recipes. One comment: when I print, I end up printing pages of comments and I really only want the recipe. Is there a way to do this? thanks for all your work to give us low point foods that are yummy! Maggie
@ Eric – somewhat. They added a link way at the bottom, but no email or apology. Thanks for asking.
@ Carrie – really? That's funny, I've never been at the macaroni grill. Makes sense though since it's an Italian soup.
Looks delicious…a lot the soup at Macaroni Grill! Yummy…
Gina. This looks so delicious. I can't wait to make it for dinner tomorrow night. I hope all turned out well with those stolen recipes.
Eric
Website: http://www.ericlovelin.com
Twitter: ericlovelin