Pizza soup has all your favorite pizza flavors in hearty and cozy soup form! It’s loaded with juicy Italian sausage, delicious pepperoni and melty mozzarella, and it couldn’t be easier to make!
There’s no other way I could define this pizza soup than a bowl of pure comfort!
All the flavors you love in a classic pizza — melty cheese, savory sausage and pepperoni, juicy tomatoes, and a hint of herbs — are cozied up together in one warm, slurp-worthy bowl.
It’s just the perfect soup to try on those nights you’re craving pizza but you could also do with a warm and comforting home-cooked meal. The kids will absolutely love it, too!
We love this pepperoni pizza soup in our home not just because it tastes fantastic but also because it’s super easy to put together. Plus, you can easily make it your own with your favorite toppings, just like you’d do with a pizza.
Why you’ll love this pizza soup recipe
- All your favorite pizza flavors in one cozy, spoonable bowl!
- It’s super quick and easy to make with simple ingredients, perfect for busy nights.
- It’s totally customizable—add your favorite toppings right into the soup!
Ingredient notes and suggestions
Italian sausage — I typically use mild sausage but you can go for spicy for extra flavor if you like.
Vegetables — Bell peppers and onions are my go-tos for this soup, but if you’ve got mushrooms or zucchini on hand, throw them in!
Aromatics — Garlic, oregano, basil, and marjoram—just a quick sizzle, and they bring all those classic pizza vibes to life.
Tomatoes — Crushed tomatoes with a bit of tomato sauce make a rich, flavorful base that will remind you of your favorite pizza.
Pepperoni — I quarter them so you get little bursts of flavor in every bite.
Fresh basil — For that authentic pizza taste!
Mozzarella — A good handful of mozzarella melts right into the soup for that oozy, cheesy goodness.
Pro tip
Toast some crusty bread with a sprinkle of garlic and extra mozzarella on top, then use it as a cheesy dunker for the soup — it's like having a built-in pizza crust on the side!
How to make pizza soup
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the Italian sausage and cook until browned.
Add the onion and green bell pepper and sauté until softened.
Stir in the dried oregano, basil, marjoram, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, pepperoni, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Add fresh basil and season to taste. Ladle into bowls, top with mozzarella, and let it melt before serving.
Substitutions and variations
- Add some heat — if you like a bit of spice, toss in red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick.
- Swap the sausage — try ground beef, turkey, or even chicken sausage if you prefer a lighter option.
- Add a couple handfuls of spinach at the end for more greens.
Helpful tips
- Get that sausage nice and brown — don't rush this step; letting the sausage develop a golden crust brings a ton of flavor to the soup.
- Go easy on salt until the end — with sausage, pepperoni, and cheese; it’s easy for the soup to get a bit salty, so wait to season until you taste it at the end.
- Add the fresh basil right before serving to preserve that fresh, herby kick, which totally makes the soup feel like a pizza!
What to serve with pepperoni pizza soup
- Garlic bread — perfect for dunking, plus you’ll get that “pizza crust” feel on the side.
- Breadsticks — chewy breadsticks like the ones you get in an Italian restaurant go great with this pepperoni pizza soup.
- Grilled cheese sandwich — a melty grilled cheese pairs perfectly with the tomato-y base of the soup for a cozy, comfort-food combo.
Leftovers and storage
- Any leftovers will keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat the pizza soup slowly over low heat or in the microwave until piping hot. Add fresh mozzarella to hot soup before serving.
- You can freeze this soup for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat as above.
If you’ve tried this pizza soup recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I’d love to hear how it turned out.
And if you’re looking for more delicious inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!
Pizza Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 oz pepperoni quartered
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned.1 tablespoon olive oil1 pound Italian sausage
- Add the onion and green bell pepper to the pot and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables soften.1 medium onion1 medium green bell pepper
- Stir in the garlic, dried oregano, basil, and marjoram and cook for another minute until fragrant.2 garlic cloves1 teaspoon dried oregano½ teaspoon dried basil½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, pepperoni and chicken stock. Stir well to combine and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes1 cup tomato sauce1 teaspoon sugar4 oz pepperoni4 cups chicken stock
- Stir in the shredded fresh basil and adjust the seasoning to taste.6-8 fresh basil leavesSalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top it with grated mozzarella while hot. Allow the cheese to melt for a couple of minutes, then serve.4 oz mozzarella cheese
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