If you are craving a bowl of comfort that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe. It’s a luscious, hearty soup featuring tender ditalini pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a luscious blend of cream and Parmesan cheese that brings everything together in a rich, satisfying way. Each spoonful balances robust, savory flavors with a silky texture that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite for cozy meals that taste like they took hours to create but come together with ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is half the joy of this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe. Simple yet thoughtfully chosen, each ingredient plays a crucial role in layering flavors, adding texture, or brightening up the dish, making the final soup taste like a culinary masterpiece.
- Italian sausage: Use sweet or spicy, depending on your heat preference; it forms the meaty backbone of the soup.
- Ditalini pasta: These tiny tubes perfectly capture the broth and mingle with every bite.
- Heavy cream: Brings lush creaminess for a silky soup base.
- Vegetable broth: Provides a flavorful, rich liquid to simmer the ingredients in.
- Onion: Adds a sweet, fragrant foundation once sautéed.
- Garlic: Infuses a warming aroma and sharp depth.
- Spinach or kale: Tossed in for a pop of green color and nutritional boost.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for maximum flavor, melting into the soup to create that signature richness.
- Fresh herbs (basil and parsley): Garnishes that brighten the soup and add a fresh contrast.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and cook until it softens to translucent perfection, unlocking its natural sweetness. Next, add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, ensuring you do not burn it, as this will create a bitter undertone rather than the desired warmth.
Step 2: Brown the Italian Sausage
Next, crumble the Italian sausage into the pot. Stir occasionally as it cooks until it’s beautifully browned and caramelized in spots, releasing all those rich, savory fats that will flavor the entire soup. This step is key to building depth.
Step 3: Add the Broth and Simmer
Pour in the vegetable broth, making sure to scrape the pot’s bottom to loosen every delicious browned bit. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to marry and the broth to pick up the sausage and onion’s essence.
Step 4: Cook the Ditalini Pasta
Once simmering, stir in the ditalini pasta and cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture—about 8 to 10 minutes. The pasta not only adds delightful bite but absorbs those savory broth flavors for a harmonious mouthfeel.
Step 5: Stir in Cream and Parmesan
Reduce the heat to low and gently whisk in the heavy cream along with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This step transforms the broth into a luxuriously creamy base, so smooth and comforting you can taste the love in every spoonful.
Step 6: Add Greens and Fresh Herbs
Finally, fold in the chopped spinach or kale along with a handful of fresh basil and parsley. Stir until the greens wilt just enough to soften, adding a burst of freshness that balances the rich, savory soup perfectly.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Dish out your Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe hot, with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if you’re feeling indulgent. Grab a crusty loaf of bread and savor every cozy bite!
How to Serve Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, a few basil leaves, or even a crack of black pepper right before serving to elevate the flavors and add a lovely finishing touch. A drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also hint at extra depth and warmth.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with toasted garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or even some warm focaccia. These sides bring texture contrasts and additional flavors to round out your comforting meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the soup in rustic bread bowls for a fun, edible serving vessel that impresses guests. Alternatively, a deep white bowl showcasing the soup’s creamy color and colorful greens adds a simple yet elegant presentation to your dinner table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your soup, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making reheated portions even more delightful.
Freezing
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe can be frozen, but because of the cream and pasta, texture may change slightly. Freeze it without the pasta for best results, then cook fresh pasta when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cream from separating. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of Italian sausage?
Absolutely! While Italian sausage provides robust flavor, ground turkey or chicken can be a leaner alternative. Consider adding Italian seasoning to mimic the sausage’s seasoning.
Is it necessary to use heavy cream?
Heavy cream makes the soup delightfully rich and velvety, but you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, keeping in mind it will be less creamy.
What can I do if I don’t have ditalini pasta?
Other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, small shells, or orzo work well in this soup and will still soak up the delicious broth beautifully.
How spicy is the soup?
The spice level depends on whether you use sweet or spicy Italian sausage. You can also control heat by adding red pepper flakes or omitting them, tailoring the soup to your taste.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, replace the Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage, and use vegetable broth to maintain the flavor base.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like settling in with a bowl of this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe to make you feel nurtured and satisfied. The fusion of rich cream, hearty sausage, and tender pasta is simply soul-soothing. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and find it becomes as beloved in your kitchen as it is in mine. It’s one of those dishes that brings warmth not only to your body but also to your heart.
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Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring browned Italian sausage, tender ditalini pasta, and a creamy broth enriched with Parmesan cheese and fresh greens. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, onions, and fresh herbs, it offers a rich and satisfying meal that serves six.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped
- Fresh herbs (basil and parsley) for garnish
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Pasta
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
Other
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Brown the Sausage: Crumble the Italian sausage into the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Add the Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the ditalini pasta to the simmering broth and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Add Greens and Herbs: Mix in the chopped spinach or kale along with fresh basil and parsley. Cook just until the greens are wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preferred heat level.
- Substitute kale for spinach or vice versa according to your taste or availability.
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated options.
- If you prefer a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use a lighter cheese.
- Make sure to cook the pasta until just al dente to avoid overcooking once the cream is added.
