If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort dish that wraps you in flavor, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup! It’s a soul-warming bowl filled with tender sausage, soft ditalini, heaps of veggies, and a velvety Parmesan-laced broth you’ll crave all winter long. This is the kind of dinner that’s as welcome on a lazy Sunday as it is at a special family gathering—hearty, rich, and easy enough for any cook to pull off. Trust me, everyone will want seconds!

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup lies in creating big, cozy flavors with just a handful of humble ingredients. Each item brings something unique—from luscious creaminess to vibrant color—so don’t skip a step!

Olive oil: A drizzle of good olive oil gets everything going and adds beautiful flavor right at the base.
Italian sausage (mild or spicy): Choose your favorite; the sausage is the heart of this soup and brings all the bold, savory notes.
Yellow onion: Diced onion gives the soup gentle sweetness and depth as it caramelizes.
Garlic: Two cloves crank up the aroma—there’s nothing like that first sizzle when garlic hits the pan!
Carrots: Diced carrots provide a pop of color and mellow sweetness that balances the savory broth.
Celery: Celery’s crisp flavor adds freshness and that classic soup undertone.
Italian seasoning: This little blend pulls together all the herbs you love for true Italian warmth.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a touch of heat—use as much or as little as you like!
Chicken broth: Six cups give you a flavorful, rich foundation for the whole soup.
Ditalini pasta: These little tubes soak up all the creamy goodness; perfect bite after bite.
Heavy cream: The secret to a luxuriously silky broth that’ll have everyone asking, “What’s your secret?”
Grated Parmesan cheese: Fresh Parmesan melts into the soup for unmatched depth and a salty, nutty kick.
Fresh spinach: A couple of cups add brightness and a little green—plus a nutritional boost.
Salt and pepper: These basics let you fine-tune every spoonful to perfection.

How to Make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage (casing removed) and break it up with your spoon as it cooks. Let it brown deeply—it’s all those golden, crispy bits that take Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup from good to irresistible. If your sausage is a bit fatty, just spoon off any excess grease once it’s cooked through.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Add diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery straight into the sausage. Let them all mingle together, sautéing for about 4–5 minutes until the veggies begin to soften. The aroma at this stage is pure kitchen therapy! Don’t rush—this step builds the veggie backbone for your soup’s deep, layered flavor.

Step 3: Season and Simmer the Broth

Sprinkle in your Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes if you want a hint of spice. Stir for just a moment so those flavors bloom in the oil. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned sausage bits from the bottom (extra flavor!). Bring everything up to a gentle boil and get ready for the next step.

Step 4: Cook the Ditalini

Add the ditalini pasta to the simmering soup. Reduce the heat to low so it bubbles gently, and cook uncovered for about 8–10 minutes. The pasta will soak up the delicious broth, plumping up until perfectly tender—be sure to check early so it doesn’t go mushy.

Step 5: Make It Creamy and Cheesy

Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, letting them melt smoothly into the soup. Just watch how the broth transforms into this dreamy, creamy base—that Parmesan gives it a savory twang that truly defines Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. Keep stirring until every last bit of cheese disappears into the broth.

Step 6: Finish with Greens and Season

Add in the chopped spinach, letting it wilt for just a minute or two. Taste, and adjust with salt and pepper until the flavors sing. Serve piping hot, and don’t be shy with extra Parmesan on top!

How to Serve Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup

Garnishes

The finishing touches do wonders: shower bowls generously with extra grated Parmesan, a grind of fresh pepper, and maybe even a few torn basil leaves for color and fragrance. If you like a little crunch, toss on toasted bread crumbs or swirl in a drizzle of good olive oil.

Side Dishes

You can’t go wrong with a crusty slice of Italian bread for dunking—think ciabatta or a rustic baguette. A bright, crisp green salad cuts through the soup’s richness and rounds out the meal, making dinner feel like a celebration. Roasted garlic bread or even a bowl of buttery peas are also excellent companions.

Creative Ways to Present

For a truly memorable dinner, serve Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup in big soup mugs or small bread bowls at your next gathering. It’s perfect as a starter for a festive Italian meal, or ladled into thermoses for an autumn picnic. Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh herbs—presentation makes it even more inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This soup keeps beautifully! Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You might notice the soup thickens as it sits—just stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen it up when reheating.

Freezing

If you plan ahead, Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup freezes quite well (although the pasta’s texture may soften a little). Ladle into individual freezer containers, leaving a little space for expansion, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, you can cook the pasta separately and add it fresh when reheating—just freeze the soup without the ditalini if you’re a texture purist!

Reheating

Gently reheat the soup on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. Add extra broth as needed to loosen the soup back to your ideal consistency. Microwave reheating also works great for single servings—heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between, until piping hot.

FAQs

Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free ditalini (or another small pasta shape) and ensure your broth is gluten-free. The rest of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is naturally gluten-free, so everyone at the table can enjoy.

Is there a substitute for spinach?

Definitely! Kale is fantastic here for a heartier green; just chop it fine and give it an extra minute or two to wilt. Swiss chard and escarole also work beautifully for slightly different flavors and textures.

Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?

You sure can. Half-and-half will give the soup a lighter, still-creamy body, perfect if you want a less rich version. Just note it won’t be *as* silky, but the soup will still be delicious.

Can I make this ahead for a party?

Yes! Prepare everything in advance, but cook the pasta separately and add right before serving to keep it perfectly al dente. Gently rewarm the soup base, stir in the ditalini, and you’re ready to serve a crowd in minutes.

What’s the best sausage to use?

Both mild and spicy Italian sausage work wonders—it all comes down to your taste buds! Spicy sausage adds more kick, especially with the red pepper flakes, while mild is crowd-pleasing and mellow. Even turkey sausage works for a lighter spin.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the mood for pure comfort with every spoonful, Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup deserves a spot in your rotation. It’s cozy, it’s packed with flavor, and it has a way of bringing everyone to the table. Give it a try and taste why it’s always a favorite in my kitchen!

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup, a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for chilly nights. This soup combines the richness of Italian sausage, the creaminess of Parmesan, and the goodness of fresh spinach in a flavorful broth.

Ingredients

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For the Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup ditalini pasta
½ cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the Sausage: In a large pot, heat olive oil and cook Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat.
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 and simmer until tender.
Finish the Soup: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until melted. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and enjoy hot.