Stuffed Pepper Orzo Soup

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Stuffed Pepper Orzo Soup is the cozy, one-pot comfort dish your dinner rotation has been waiting for. It captures everything you love about traditional stuffed peppers — the savory beef, sweet bell peppers, tender rice — and transforms it into a rich, flavorful soup with a hearty orzo twist. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meal prepping, this soup is as satisfying as it is simple to make.

The broth is rich and tomato-forward, packed with Italian-style herbs and plenty of garlic, while the orzo pasta adds the perfect amount of bite. Each spoonful delivers a little bit of everything: tender ground beef, soft vegetables, and the warm, nostalgic flavor of a classic family dinner. This soup is ideal for freezing or feeding a crowd, and it only gets better the next day.

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What Kind of Bell Peppers Should I Use?

You can use any bell pepper color you prefer! Green peppers offer a more traditional, slightly bitter flavor that balances beautifully with the richness of the broth. Red, orange, or yellow peppers add a natural sweetness that enhances the tomato base. Mixing two or more colors can give your soup beautiful depth in both flavor and appearance.

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Ingredients for the Stuffed Pepper Orzo Soup

Ground Beef
A classic base for stuffed peppers, ground beef adds hearty flavor and protein. Choose lean for less grease or go with a higher fat content for extra richness.

Bell Peppers (Green and Red)
These bring sweetness and texture. Dicing them evenly helps them cook down perfectly into the soup.

Onion and Garlic
Essential aromatics that build flavor right from the start.

Beef Broth
Deepens the overall richness of the soup and provides a savory base.

Tomato Sauce + Diced Tomatoes
This duo creates the classic stuffed pepper tomato flavor, slightly tangy and wonderfully hearty.

Orzo Pasta
A small rice-shaped pasta that cooks right in the soup, soaking up flavor and thickening the broth.

Italian Seasoning + Bay Leaf
These seasonings bring warmth, depth, and that familiar herby aroma.

Salt, Pepper, and Fresh Parsley
For balance and brightness, finish the soup with seasoning to taste and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

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How To Make the Stuffed Pepper Orzo Soup

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add diced onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and translucent.

Step 2: Add the Peppers and Seasoning

Toss in the diced bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. This helps bloom the spices and infuse the soup base with flavor.

Step 3: Pour in Broth and Tomatoes

Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Drop in a bay leaf. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Add the Orzo

Stir in the orzo and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If needed, add a splash more broth or water to loosen the consistency.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over each bowl for a fresh, herby finish. Serve warm and enjoy!

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Serving and Storing This Soup

This soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty garlic bread or a side salad. Serve hot, straight from the stove for a warming lunch or dinner.

Leftovers keep beautifully. Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The orzo will continue to absorb liquid, so add a splash of broth when reheating. For longer storage, freeze the soup without the orzo, then cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to enjoy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

Swap the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat alternative or use lentils. Substitute vegetable broth for beef broth.

Can I use rice instead of orzo?

Yes! Just add cooked rice at the end of cooking, as it tends to soak up more liquid than orzo and can become mushy if simmered too long.

What other meats can I use?

Ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage work great as alternatives to ground beef.

Is this soup spicy?

Not by default. But you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you like heat.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Brown the beef and aromatics first, then transfer to a slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except orzo. Cook on low for 6–7 hours, adding orzo in the last 30 minutes.

What if I don’t have orzo?

You can use small pasta shapes like ditalini, mini shells, or even broken spaghetti noodles.

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Want More Soup Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this stuffed pepper orzo soup, you’ll probably enjoy these other hearty and flavorful bowls:

• Creamy Shrimp Chowder for a seafood-rich, velvety indulgence.
• Crockpot Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with bold and exotic flavors.
• Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup that’s cheesy, comforting, and deeply savory.
• Zesty Tuscan Artichoke Soup for an earthy, tangy Italian-style alternative.
• Mediterranean White Beans & Greens to keep things fresh, healthy, and plant-forward.

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can revisit it whenever you need a cozy bowl of comfort.

Let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you add any spicy twists or veggie swaps? I love seeing how these recipes evolve in your kitchen.

More comforting weeknight recipes are shared daily on my Pinterest at Life with Nina — come find your next dinner favorite!

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