Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy broth enhanced with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family meal, it combines simple ingredients with robust flavors for a satisfying homemade soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Base
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Soup and Garnish
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or any small pasta)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked, remove the sausage from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
- Make the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and the cooked sausage.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to the package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add the Cream and Spinach: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach wilts and the soup becomes creamy.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the soup will be less creamy.
- Ditalini pasta can be replaced with small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells.
- Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid thinning the soup.
- This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor impact.
Keywords: Italian sausage soup, creamy soup, ditalini pasta soup, Parmesan soup, easy Italian soup recipe, comforting soup