Description
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a hearty, comforting, and creamy meal combining savory Italian sausage, tender ditalini pasta, and rich Parmesan cheese. Ideal for cozy family dinners, it’s quick to make, uses simple pantry staples, and offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures that warm the soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed and crumbled
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
Aromatics and Broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Greens and Herbs
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Seasonings and Garnishes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Additional freshly grated Parmesan (for garnish)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Drizzle of high-quality olive oil (optional)
- Toasted breadcrumbs or crushed red pepper flakes (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Italian Sausage: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. This forms a deep, savory base for the soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Remove the cooked sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot. Add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook gently until softened and fragrant to add sweetness and aroma to the broth.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the browned bits from the pot’s bottom. Bring to a simmer, then stir in ditalini pasta. Cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Stir continuously until cheese melts and soup becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Greens and Herbs: Fold in fresh spinach or kale and chopped fresh herbs like parsley. Cook another 2-3 minutes until greens wilt and soup is heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese as it melts better and enhances flavor.
- Cook ditalini pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture after simmering.
- Use rendered sausage fat to sauté onions for deeper flavor infusion.
- For a lighter soup, substitute half the heavy cream with whole milk.
- Add salt gradually to avoid over-seasoning because of Parmesan and broth salt content.
- To freeze, omit cream and add fresh cream when reheating to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Italian sausage soup, creamy sausage soup, ditalini pasta soup, Parmesan soup, easy Italian soup, family-friendly soup
