Description
This hearty and flavorful Pizza Soup combines savory Italian sausage, classic pizza toppings, and rich tomato broth in a comforting bowl. Perfect for a family meal, it captures all the deliciousness of pizza in a warm, easy-to-make soup topped with melted mozzarella and served with crunchy croutons or toasted bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 cup mini pepperoni or sliced pepperoni, chopped
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- Croutons or toasted bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot with the sausage. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, building the base flavor for the soup.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken or vegetable broth. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil to start blending the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes. This allows the ingredients to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Add Pepperoni: Stir in the chopped pepperoni and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to warm through and infuse the soup with more pizza flavor.
- Serve and Top: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle each with shredded mozzarella cheese. Let sit for a minute to allow the cheese to melt naturally, or place under a broiler for 1–2 minutes for a bubbly, golden top.
- Accompaniments: Serve immediately with croutons or toasted bread to complete the comforting pizza-inspired meal.
Notes
- Add your favorite pizza toppings such as olives, mushrooms, or cooked ground beef to customize the soup.
- This soup stores well and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- For a gluten-free version, serve with gluten-free croutons or bread.
