This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is the coziest, most comforting bowl you could ever wish for — it’s bursting with savory sausage, tender pasta, fresh veggies, and a swirl of creaminess that brings everything together under a shower of Parmesan. Each spoonful delivers layers of flavor that will have your family or friends swooning, and there’s just something magical about how that creamy broth hugs every bit of ditalini and sausage. If you love hearty, soul-warming dishes that feel like a big Italian hug, then you’re in for a treat with this one!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients that create incredible flavor when combined. Each element brings a touch of texture, color, or savory goodness to make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup a knockout favorite.
- Olive oil: A splash of fruity olive oil gets everything going and adds depth right from the start.
- Italian sausage (casings removed): The star of the show, giving the soup rich, robust flavor and hearty bites.
- Yellow onion (diced): It mellows and sweetens as it cooks, forming the foundation for a flavor-packed broth.
- Garlic (minced): Just two cloves make a huge difference, bringing warmth and irresistible aroma.
- Carrots (peeled and diced): They add sweetness, color, and tiny bursts of tender crunch.
- Celery (diced): Essential for the classic soup base, celery offers balance and earthy notes.
- Italian seasoning: This simple blend gives the soup its signature Italian vibe in every bowl.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): A pinch wakes up the flavors with a gentle kick (choose your own adventure here).
- Chicken broth: Use a good low-sodium broth for a rich yet delicate backdrop to the creamy, comforting soup.
- Ditalini pasta: These adorable little tubes soak up flavor and make every bite satisfying — they’re fun for kids too!
- Heavy cream: This is where lusciousness happens, turning the broth into a dreamy, velvety hug.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: A generous sprinkle melts into the soup, boosting umami and hugging every ingredient.
- Baby spinach (chopped): Adds an extra layer of color, freshness, and a healthy touch in every scoop.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Season at the end so all the flavors are just right.
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional): Brightens the final presentation and adds subtle freshness.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Crumble in the Italian sausage (with the casings removed) and let it brown, stirring and breaking it up as it cooks. Take your time here — thoroughly browning the sausage develops the deep, savory flavor that sets the entire tone for your Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. If there’s excess grease, you can spoon it out before moving ahead, keeping your soup rich but never heavy.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
Once the sausage is browned, add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery right into the pot. Sauté everything together for 5–6 minutes until the onion turns soft and translucent, and the carrots and celery begin to tenderize. This step lets the sausage flavors mingle with the veggies, setting the stage for a broth that tastes simmered-for-hours even though it comes together in under an hour!
Step 3: Season and Build the Broth
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if you like it a little spicy), stirring well to coat the veggies. Pour in all the chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the pot’s bottom as you go. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil — you’ll already see the colors and aromas come alive. This is your soup’s flavor core, hearty and fragrant and loaded with possibility.
Step 4: Cook the Ditalini Pasta
Add your ditalini pasta right into the bubbling soup, then reduce the heat to a lively simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just al dente. Ditalini is the perfect shape for soups like this: it soaks up just enough broth without becoming mushy. As it cooks, it also thickens the soup ever so slightly — a perfect setup for what’s coming next.
Step 5: Make It Creamy and Finish with Spinach
Now comes the magic moment! Pour in the heavy cream, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, and fold in the chopped baby spinach. Stir everything together, letting the cheese melt and the cream swirl into a silky, luscious broth. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes, just long enough for the spinach to wilt and everything to meld together in perfect harmony. Don’t forget to taste and add salt and black pepper as needed — now’s your chance to make it just right.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Ladle your hot Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup into bowls and, if you’d like, top with a handful of chopped fresh parsley for a final burst of color and brightness. This hearty soup is ready to be devoured immediately, but it’s also delicious as leftovers—just as rich and satisfying, if not more!
How to Serve Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan and a flurry of freshly chopped parsley on each bowl can take this soup from hearty to spectacular with barely any extra effort. For lovers of spice, a dusting of red pepper flakes on top offers a handsome kick. You could even serve with a drizzle of luxurious olive oil for extra gloss and richness.
Side Dishes
This soup is wonderful all by itself, but you can easily turn it into a full feast! Pair it with thick-cut toasted sourdough or a crusty baguette for dipping, or serve alongside a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil. If you want to keep the Italian vibes going, garlic breadsticks or a plate of marinated olives make irresistible companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or cozy gatherings, try serving Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup in small mugs or espresso cups for an appetizer-sized starter. You can also ladle the soup into hollowed-out bread bowls for a rustic, interactive touch that always gets people talking. Or, set up a DIY “soup bar” with bowls of toppings—extra cheese, fresh herbs, or even small roasted veggies—and let everyone customize their own bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta does tend to soak up some of the liquid as it sits, so don’t be surprised if your soup thickens a bit. Just add a splash of chicken broth or even water when you reheat, and it’ll return to the perfect consistency.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze this soup! For the best results, consider holding back the pasta and spinach if you plan to freeze a batch, and add those fresh when you reheat. If you’ve already mixed it all together, it’ll still be delicious—just expect a slightly softer texture on the pasta. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, leaving a bit of space for expansion.
Reheating
To reheat, place the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, adding extra broth to loosen things up as needed. Warm gently, stirring occasionally, so the creamy texture stays smooth and the flavors meld right back together. Microwave reheating works too—just cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring between each, for even heating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Sweet or hot Italian sausage are both delicious, and turkey sausage works beautifully too if you’re after something a bit lighter. Just make sure to remove the casings for the right texture.
What can I substitute for ditalini pasta?
Small pasta shapes like elbows, small shells, or even orzo are great alternatives if you don’t have ditalini on hand. Just adjust your cooking time according to the pasta you use and keep an eye out for doneness.
Is there a dairy-free or lighter option?
For a lighter version of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk. For dairy-free, try unsweetened coconut cream or a splash of cashew milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. The results are still irresistibly creamy!
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Definitely! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta (there’s excellent gluten-free ditalini or small tube pasta available at most stores) and double-check your sausage and chicken broth labels for hidden gluten sources.
How do I get the creamiest texture possible?
The key is to add the heavy cream and Parmesan at the end, off direct high heat, and stir gently until completely smooth. If you want an even silkier finish, you can blend a small scoop of the soup’s broth with Parmesan before returning it to the pot for extra creamy body.
Final Thoughts
If you’re seeking pure comfort in a bowl with an irresistible Italian spin, you simply have to try this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. It’s rich, cozy, and guaranteed to become a favorite, whether you’re cooking for family dinner or sharing with friends. Give it a whirl, and let your kitchen fill with Italian warmth—one spoonful will have you hooked!
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Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and hearty soup that combines the richness of Italian sausage and Parmesan cheese with the creaminess of heavy cream. This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a perfect blend of flavors that will warm you up on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Main Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (chopped)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, brown Italian sausage in olive oil until cooked through. Remove excess grease.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Cook Pasta: Add ditalini pasta, simmer until al dente.
- Finish Soup: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and spinach. Simmer until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Soup thickens upon standing; add broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
