Description
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian-American classic that combines savory Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and ditalini pasta in a rich, creamy Parmesan broth. Perfect for chilly days, this soup is easy to make on the stovetop and can be customized with spinach or kale for added greens.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Liquids and Cheese
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess grease if needed to avoid a greasy soup base.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using, allowing the flavors to meld for a minute.
- Simmer Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8–10 minutes, until pasta is al dente.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the soup is creamy.
- Add Spinach: Stir in chopped fresh spinach and simmer for 2–3 more minutes until the spinach wilts and incorporates into the soup.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Substitute kale for spinach for a more robust leafy green texture.
- Use turkey sausage for a lighter, lower-fat alternative.
- The soup thickens as it sits; add extra chicken broth when reheating to loosen consistency.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free ditalini pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg