Hey y’all! If you’re on the hunt for something irresistibly cozy, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe. With its rich, velvety broth, punchy Italian sausage, and tender ditalini pasta, this soup is a surefire crowd-pleaser perfect for chilly nights, quick comfort meals, or wowing guests at a casual dinner party. Let’s get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort: Creamy, hearty, and loaded with robust Italian flavors, it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
- Quick & Easy: Comes together in only 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: Mildly spicy and cheese-forward, kids and adults alike will devour it.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- One-Pot Wonder: Means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner!
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups (about 7oz/200g) ditalini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves (packed)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil and/or parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage. Break it apart with a spoon, cooking until browned and no longer pink—about 5-6 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, draining excess fat if needed.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until soft and fragrant, 5-6 minutes. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute longer.
Step 3: Build the Base
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Return browned sausage to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Step 4: Add Pasta
Add ditalini pasta, simmer uncovered 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is nearly al dente.
Step 5: Make It Creamy
Lower heat to a gentle simmer. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and soup turns rich and creamy—about 2-3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls, top with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs. Serve hot!
Notes & Helpful Tips for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- If your soup thickens after sitting, simply stir in a bit more broth or cream to loosen it up.
- For extra protein or nutrients, toss in a drained can of white beans or chopped kale.
- Learn more about choosing the best Parmesan cheese for soup from Serious Eats.
Variations on Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Turkey Sausage: Swap in turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free ditalini or small pasta.
- Vegetarian: Skip sausage, double the veggies, and use vegetable broth for a meatless option.
Equipment Needed for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board and knife
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage Instructions for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding more broth or cream as needed to maintain creaminess. This soup is not ideal for freezing due to the dairy but can be frozen before adding cream—just stir it in after thawing.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Serve with crusty Italian bread or garlic bread for dipping.
- Pair with a fresh green salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette.
- A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements this creamy, savory soup.
Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- For extra depth, deglaze the pot with a splash of white wine after sautéeing the veggies.
- Grate your own Parmesan for the smoothest texture—pre-grated cheese can cause clumping. See Bon Appetit's guide to grating cheese.
- Avoid overcooking the pasta by removing the soup from heat as soon as the ditalini is al dente.
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe FAQs
- Can I make this soup ahead?
- Absolutely! Prepare as directed, but keep the pasta and cream separate. Add them when reheating for best texture.
- Can I freeze Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup?
- Yes, but freeze before adding the cream. Stir in cream after thawing and reheating for the best results.
- How spicy is this soup?
- It's mildly spicy with Italian sausage and optional red pepper flakes, but you can adjust to your heat preference!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup ditalini pasta, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
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1In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
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2Add diced onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
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3Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
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4Add ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions until tender.
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5Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the soup is creamy and heated through.
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6Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional parmesan if desired.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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