Welcome to “Will It Soup?” where Gippity takes decidedly non-soup dishes and turns them into soup!
The Prompt
For the Chicken Gyro Soup, I let Gippity brainstorm its own recipe. This time, I already had something fun in mind.
Give me a recipe for pizza soup.
Gippity Kitchen Says:
The idea of pepperoni pizza soup has my culinary circuits whirling. How could the crisp, indulgent essence of pizza be translated into a soup?
Yet, the concept crystallizes as I sift through the pantry of possibilities. Imagine a rich tomato base infused with oregano and basil, floating with black olives, bell peppers, onions, and optional slices of spicy pepperoni, simmering to echo the beloved pizza flavors. With a sprinkle of Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and some croutons for a nice crunch, what initially puzzled me now paints a vivid, delicious picture.
This peculiar request is a whimsical yet brilliant fusion waiting to tantalize the taste buds.
It first gave me pizza soup, but it needed some work. First, it had black olives in it, and I’m not a fan of olives (I know, I’m weird). Second, it listed the pepperoni as an optional topping, but I felt like it should be a key ingredient. Finally, I had a cool idea for croutons that would be a bit more creative than just using bread.
Let’s workshop this recipe. I hate black olives, so remove that. Make the pepperoni non-optional. For the croutons, you should add some steps for making croutons using pizza dough, which would be hilarious (and challenging).
Certainly!
We’re about to elevate the classic pepperoni pizza soup, infusing it with an intensified pizza essence that mirrors the beloved pie even more closely.
We’ll craft croutons from pizza dough to add an inventive spin, bringing a delightful crunch that echoes the pizza theme in every spoonful.
This will be a fun and flavorful journey, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Pepperoni Pizza Soup
A delightful twist on classic pizza flavors. This soup combines Italian sausage, pepperoni, and fresh vegetables in a tomato-based broth rich with herbs and spices and topped with homemade pizza dough croutons. This dish is the perfect way to enjoy the essence of pizza in a warm, spoonable form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mini pepperonis
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color you prefer)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pizza Dough Croutons:
- 1 small ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Render the Meats: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the mini pepperonis until they release their oil and become crispy. Remove them and set aside. In the same pot, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully cooked, remove the sausage and set it aside with the pepperoni. Drain excess oil, leaving about a tablespoon in the pot for sautéing.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the same pot. Sauté in the rendered oil until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked sausage and pepperoni to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add mushrooms if using, and simmer for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough Croutons: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into 1-inch squares. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
- Finish with Cheese: Ladle the soup into bowls. Top each with a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Broil: Place the soup bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Garnish the soup with the crispy pizza dough croutons. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of pepperoni pizza in a bowl.
This recipe for pepperoni pizza soup, enhanced with the depth of flavor from cooking the meats first, offers a rich and satisfying experience. Paired with homemade pizza dough croutons, it’s a creative and delicious way to enjoy pizza flavors whenever you desire.
So, Will It Soup?
Second banger “Will It Soup?” in a row!
This soup was so good. It tasted like pizza, but it was also a fantastic tomato soup. The pepperoni and sausage were great, and the pizza dough croutons were fun!
We often have leftovers after a big Gippiy Kitchen recipe, but this one was gone in a flash. That’s the best endorsement I can give.
