Rustic Farro Soup with Sausage

Memories of Italy enticed me into making this Rustic Farro Soup for dinner. Incredibly delicious and comforting, add this to your winter menu.

I adore Farro Recipes, and this soup is hearty and flavorful! It’s the perfect way to enjoy this wholesome grain.

Why You Must Make

• The Italian sausage adds loads of flavor that infuses into the broth and farro.
• If you have never cooked with farro before, but you enjoy other grains like barley, this is a wonderful introduction to it.
• Homemade soup recipes are generally pretty easy and perfect for cold-weather meals.

I had my first taste of farro in Florence at Trattoria dei Quattro Leoni and was instantly a fan. As much as gorgeous dishes like this Strawberry Caprese Farro Salad tempt me, I wanted another bowl of this soup. This Seafood Bisque Recipe has also caught my eye! I can’t wait to make a batch.

I had high expectations for this Tuscan farro soup. It smelled incredible as it simmered away in the kitchen. Bill, my harshest critic, said he wasn’t thrilled with the taste, but I think it was a combination of the heat, the mushrooms, and the “foreign” grain. I could imagine him thinking, “Have you heard of pasta??” I, on the other hand, loved this delectable concoction!

Reader Endorsements

I made a tasty Sausage Pasta Soup for my book club last month. A couple of friends asked for the recipe. One got back to me after she found this farro soup recipe while perusing the blog, and the second is a recent blog comment!

From Dee in the comments: Made this recipe twice. The husband and I love it. Great for the New England cold.

Expert Tips

• This is a very versatile recipe. If you don’t like mushrooms, leave them out. Want to add some celery? Go right ahead.
• If farro is hard to find, try barley or even rice instead.
• Alcohol, like salt, is a flavor enhancer. So don’t omit the red wine. The alcohol will evaporate as it simmers.
• Depending on how salty your chicken broth/stock is, you may not want to add any additional salt. Taste and decide for yourself. You can always add salt, but you can’t remove salt if you add too much.
• Crushed red pepper flakes are added for heat. If you’re worried about the soup being too spicy, start with a pinch or two, and add more if desired.
• Serve with these tasty Homemade Breadsticks, and your kids will want this combo over and over again!

Just close your eyes and imagine yourself in Florence, dining at a trattoria, tucked away on a narrow, back street near the Arno River. A piping hot bowl of this farro soup is in front of you with some crusty bread and a lovely Italian vino. I don’t think I’ll ever convert the hubby, but I bet you’ll love it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Plus, all my Best Soup Recipes

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The Recipe:

Rustic Farro Soup

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Yield 6 servings

Flavorful Rustic Farro Soup filled with vegetables, wine, sausage, and farro.

5.0 Stars (38 Reviews)

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 4 links mild Italian sausage, sliced
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 14.5 can of diced tomatoes with juice
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 5 cups chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 6 ounces uncooked farro, rinsed and soaked for at least 3 hours
• Bag of baby spinach
• 1-1 ½ teaspoons salt (depending on how salty your broth is---I didn't add any)
• ½ teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil, then add carrots, celery, onions, and garlic till onions become translucent.
2. Add sausage and brown. Add mushrooms and when cooked, add tomatoes, wine, broth, red pepper flakes, and farro.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until farro is tender, about an hour.
4. Add spinach, salt, and pepper and stir till spinach is wilted. Add thyme.
5. Serve with fresh Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Notes

Adapted from Whole Foods.

May use spicy Italian sausage if you want more heat in your soup.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 512Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 2272mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 14gSugar: 24gProtein: 21g

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Quattro Leoni, Florence, Italy, June 2010