Mushroom Chard Soup

A recipe for Mushroom Chard Soup! This comforting vegetarian soup pairs sautéed mushrooms with tender orzo and Swiss chard.

I first came across the idea for this Mushroom Chard Soup over on Cookin Canuck and it is such a fantastic and easy use for Swiss chard!

From start to finish, the soup takes about 30 minutes to prepare with a few staples I often have on hand.

Onions, the Swiss chard stems, and mushrooms are sautéed with garlic until softened, then simmered with orzo in a lightly seasoned vegetable-based broth. Before serving, add the chopped Swiss chard leaves and cook just until vibrant green in color.

Serve the Mushroom Chard Soup while still warm with a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan if desired. I also like to pair it with a couple slices of fresh bread to help soak up the liquid.

A Few Tips

I used cremini mushrooms, but feel free to swap for another favorite such as shiitake.

Adjust the amount of salt based on the sodium level of your vegetable broth.

Stir the orzo occasionally as it simmers, especially at the bottom and sides of the pot to keep the pasta from sticking.

This recipe is easily customizable based on personal tastes. To add some meat- bacon, pancetta, or sausage would be delicious options.

For a gluten-free soup, use a gluten-free orzo or omit. White beans, chickpeas (canned, not dried), red lentils, or diced potatoes work well with the flavors. Adjust the simmering time as needed. This soup is also vegan and dairy-free if you avoid the Parmesan garnish.

Want to add even more vegetables? I sometimes mix in diced carrots or tomatoes.

For a little heat, add a pinch or so of red chili flakes, smoked paprika, or ground cayenne pepper.

Notable Ingredients

Orzo is a short cut, dense little pasta that looks like over-sized rice with tapered ends. It translates to barley in Italian and is sometimes referred to as rosa marina (slightly thinner than orzo), manestra, or risoni.

This shape is common in many cuisines throughout the Mediterranean. It is perfect for pilafs, salads, soups/stews, and one-pot meals like this Mushroom Chard Soup!

5 ounces (150 grams) of uncooked orzo pasta equals about 2/3 cup. Don’t have orzo available? It can easily be swapped for another small pasta shape such as small shells or macaroni.

Looking for more comforting soups?

Try my:

• Changua (Colombian Egg and Milk Soup)
• Phở Bò (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
• Flädlesuppe (German Crepe Soup)

Mushroom Chard Soup Recipe

Adapted from Cookin Canuck

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Mushroom Chard Soup

A recipe for Mushroom Chard Soup! This comforting vegetarian soup pairs sautéed mushrooms with tender orzo and Swiss chard.

Course Soup

Cuisine N/A

Keyword mushroom, orzo, pasta, soup, swiss chard

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 -6 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 medium onion peeled and diced
• 1 bunch (about 6 leaves) Swiss chard stems and leaves separated
• 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
• 8 ounces (227 grams) cremini mushrooms sliced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 ounces (150 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
• 6 cups (1.5 liters) vegetable broth
• Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

• In a large saucepan, drizzle the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions.
• Thinly slice the Swiss chard stems and add to the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until both are starting to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Add the sliced mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and just softened, about 5 minutes. Add a little more olive oil if needed.
• Toss in the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the orzo until well-coated.
• Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until orzo is nearly tender, but still firm.
• Chop the Swiss chard leaves and add to the soup. Cook just until vibrant green and slightly wilted.
• Adjust seasonings to taste and serve immediately with a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan if desired.