Description

This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a hearty, comforting meal loaded with savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy Parmesan-infused broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, it comes together in a single pot for easy prep and cleanup, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights and cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Meat & Oil

1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on preference)
1 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Broth & Dairy

4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)

Pasta

1 cup ditalini pasta (or small pasta of choice)

Canned Goods

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

Seasonings

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage from the pot and set it aside.
Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot (leaving any rendered fat for extra flavor), add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and the mixture is fragrant.
Make the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the drained diced tomatoes and return the cooked sausage to the pot. Stir in the ditalini pasta and cook as directed on the pasta package, usually about 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
Add the Cream and Spinach: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach. Let the soup simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the soup is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy warm.

Notes

For a lighter soup, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter alternative.
Leftover soup may thicken; just add extra broth or a splash of water when reheating.
Feel free to use other small pasta shapes if ditalini isn’t available.
Mild or spicy sausage can be used to tailor the soup’s flavor profile.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main-course
Method: One Pot & One Pan
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 generous bowl (about 2 cups)
Calories: 495
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 85mg