Hearty Italian Sausage and Farro Soup with Herb Butter Toasts

When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hearty soup to warm you from the inside out. This rustic Italian-inspired soup features a rich tomato broth filled with tender farro, savory chicken sausage and sweet carrots. The nutty flavor of farro pairs perfectly with the aromatic herbs and juicy tomatoes, creating a deeply satisfying dish.

But what’s soup without something to dunk? We’ve included crispy ciabatta toasts slathered with herb butter, making every spoonful even more delicious. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of pure comfort.

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Ingredients

2 unit CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Italian SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

18 ounce Italian Chicken SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 ounce Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup FarroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Ciabatta BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Peel the carrots and finely chop them. Halve, peel and finely chop the onion. Core and finely chop the Roma tomatoes.
2. Place 3 tablespoons butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until just soft, about 10 seconds (do not melt). Stir in 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning (save the rest for later). Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian chicken sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add another drizzle of olive oil, then add the chopped carrots and onion with a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir the remaining Italian seasoning into the pot and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring until well combined, about 1 minute. Stir in the farro, chicken stock concentrates, a few big pinches of salt and 5 1/2 cups warm water. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer covered for 10 minutes, then uncover and simmer until the farro is tender, about 5 minutes more.
5. Meanwhile, split the ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Toast them in a toaster or toaster oven until golden brown. Spread the herb butter onto the cut sides, then cut each half diagonally to make triangles.
6. Stir half of the grated Parmesan into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with the remaining Parmesan and serve with the herb butter toasts on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different grain instead of farro?

Yes, you can substitute farro with pearled barley, spelt or even brown rice. Adjust cooking time as needed since different grains have different cooking times.

Is this soup gluten-free?

No, this recipe contains farro (which is a type of wheat) and ciabatta bread, both of which contain gluten. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free grains and gluten-free bread.

Can I make this soup in advance?

Absolutely! This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed.