Pizza Soup Recipe

Pizza Soup is one of those recipes that just makes sense. I stumbled across this idea last winter when my family was craving pizza but I wanted something warming and nourishing. What started as an experiment in my Instant Pot turned into our new cold-weather favorite. Trust me, if you love pizza and you love soup, this is about to become your go-to comfort meal.

This hearty soup combines all the flavors you love from pizza Italian sausage, melted cheese, mushrooms, and zesty tomatoes in a rich, warming broth that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s low-carb and keto-friendly, so you can enjoy all that pizza flavor without the guilt. Whether you make it in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop, this easy-to-follow recipe will have dinner on the table in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Pizza Soup

• Quick and easy: Ready in about 30-35 minutes from start to finish
• Loaded with protein: The combination of Italian sausage and ground beef keeps you satisfied
• Packed with vegetables: Mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers add nutrition and texture
• Keto-friendly: At just 7.1g net carbs per serving, it fits perfectly into low-carb meal plans
• Family-approved: Even picky eaters love the familiar pizza flavors
• Versatile cooking methods: Make it in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pizza Soup

The beauty of pizza soup is that it uses simple, accessible ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the base:

• 1 pound Italian sausage (use hot or mild based on preference)
• 1 pound ground beef (or substitute ground turkey for a lighter option)
• 1 (32 ounce) container beef broth (chicken broth works too)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

For the vegetables:

• 8 ounces chopped mushrooms (baby bellas add great flavor)
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped (any color works)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

For the creamy finish:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

The softened cream cheese is important here it blends much more smoothly into the soup when it’s at room temperature. I usually set mine out about 30 minutes before I start cooking.

How to Make the Best Pizza Soup

Instant Pot Directions

Making pizza soup in the Instant Pot is hands-down my favorite method. It’s faster, and somehow the flavors just meld together perfectly under pressure.

1. Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and lightly spray the bottom. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess grease.
2. Turn the Instant Pot off. Add the mushrooms, garlic, zucchini, spinach, bell pepper, Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for 1 minute on the residual heat.
3. Secure the lid, turn the valve to sealing, and select Manual or Pressure Cook for 15 minutes. The pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts counting down.
4. Once the cook time ends, let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
5. Stir in the softened cream cheese and heavy cream until completely melted and incorporated.
6. Serve hot with shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top.

Before you pressure cook, you might think there’s not enough liquid in the pot. Don’t worry! The vegetables release a lot of moisture during cooking, creating the perfect amount of broth for a hearty soup.

Stovetop Instructions

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, no problem. The stovetop method for pizza soup is just as delicious.

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until browned and breaking it up as you go. Drain the grease but keep the meat in the pan.
2. Add the chopped mushrooms, garlic, zucchini, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté everything together, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Pour in the beef broth, then add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
4. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the soup has thickened slightly and the vegetables are tender.
5. Finally, stir in the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and fresh spinach. Keep stirring gently until the spinach wilts and the cream cheese melts completely into the soup.

The stovetop method takes a bit longer, but I actually love the way my kitchen smells when this soup simmers away. It’s pure comfort.

How to Store Pizza Soup

This soup keeps beautifully, which makes it perfect for meal prep. I usually make a big batch on Sunday and we eat it throughout the week.

Refrigerator storage: Let the soup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better the next day.

Freezer storage: Pizza soup freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Reheating tips: Warm leftover soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of broth or water if it’s thickened too much in the fridge. Microwave reheating works too just heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each one.

Creative Variations for Pizza Soup

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how customizable it is. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up:

Make it spicier: Add red pepper flakes, use hot Italian sausage, or toss in some diced jalapeños for extra heat. My husband Henry loves when I add a dash of cayenne pepper too.

Try different meats: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. You could even use pepperoni slices for a more traditional pizza flavor.

Add more vegetables: Throw in diced onions, sliced olives, or artichoke hearts. I’ve even added roasted red peppers before, and they were delicious.

Change the cheese: While I love the cream cheese base, you can experiment with different cheeses on top. Try a blend of mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone for that authentic pizza taste.

Make it dairy-free: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and skip the cream cheese. The soup won’t be quite as creamy, but it’s still tasty.

Pizza Soup FAQs

Making Pizza Night Even Easier

This pizza soup has honestly changed the way my family does pizza night. Instead of ordering delivery or spending time making dough from scratch, I can have this warming, satisfying soup on the table in less time than it would take for pizza to arrive.

The combination of Italian sausage, ground beef, and all those vegetables creates a complete meal in one bowl. I love that my kids are eating spinach, zucchini, and mushrooms without even realizing it. They just think they’re eating “pizza soup,” which sounds fun and tastes amazing.

When I serve this, I set out bowls of shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and even some low-carb garlic breadsticks on the side. Everyone can customize their bowl however they like, which makes dinner feel a bit more special.

Whether you make this Instant Pot soup on a busy weeknight or simmer it slowly on the stovetop on a lazy Sunday, I promise your family will love it. It’s become one of those recipes I make over and over again, and I hope it becomes a favorite in your house too.

Give this pizza soup a try and let me know what you think! Tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation. Happy cooking

Recipes You May Like

If you loved this pizza soup, you’ll definitely want to check out these other comforting recipes:

• Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Recipe Another hearty, Italian-inspired comfort food that’s perfect for cold evenings
• Easy Pumpkin Chili Recipe A seasonal twist on traditional chili with a secret ingredient
• Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Creamy, filling, and absolutely delicious

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