If you’re in the mood for a hearty, comforting dish, creamy Parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup is the perfect option. This delicious soup is full of rich creaminess, savory sausage, tender pasta, and the irresistible flavor of Parmesan cheese. It’s a warm, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re entertaining guests or feeding the family, this soup is guaranteed to impress. Let’s walk through how to make this delightful recipe, step by step.
What Makes Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup So Special?
There’s just something about the combination of savory Italian sausage and pungent parmesan cheese that’s impossible to resist in soup form. The inclusion of ditalini pasta provides exactly the right texture to the soup, which is filling without being too heavy. The silky base really clings to the ingredients, so every bite has a burst of flavor.
This is also a soup that you can really personalize. You can also play around with the quantity of cream and cheese to make it richer or lighter depending on your preference. The combo of flavors are perfect for a snuggly night meals, holiday or even weeknight supper.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
You only need the following ingredients to make a pot of creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup:
- Italian sausage: Hot or mild both taste great in this recipe. Select according to your taste for a kick or a more subdued flavor.
- Ditalini pasta: This pasta is cool not only because it’s tiny (and we all love tiny), but it’s cooks into some of the most flavorful bites of the rich soup base.
- Freshly grated parmesan: adds the creamy, cheesy factor we want.
- Heavy cream: Luxurious, makes the stock creamy and rich.
- Chicken broth: The soup’s foundation. You may use vegetable stock instead for a lighter taste.
- Onion, garlic and herbs: Essential for building the layers of flavor in the soup.
- Spinach or kale (optional): Greens like spinach or kale lend freshness and vibrancy to the soup.
This soup is also really easy to make (with so few ingredients in it at all!), and is great on a dinner night with no time on the clock.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
It’s extremely easy to make this creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup is very easy, you don’t need to be a good chef to be able to enjoy this. Let’s go over how to make this yummy soup from scratch!
1: Prepare the Italian Sausage
Begin by bringing a large pot or Dutch oven to a medium heat. Stir in the Italian sausage, breaking it up with the spoon as you cook it. Cook, stirring to break up the sausage, until it is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. When finished, drain off any extra grease and set the sausage to the side.
2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pot, if necessary, add a splash more olive oil, then sauté finely chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and softened, 3 or so minutes. Translucent onions and golden brown garlic.
3: Pour in the Broth and Bring to a Simmer
Then you can stir in the chicken broth and simmer the mix. Scrape the bottom of the pot to dislodge any tasty bits that have stuck on it. This step will give your soup more flavor.
4: Cook the Pasta
Stir in the ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions until tender, usually about 10 minutes. Make sure to give it a good stir every now and again so the pasta doesn’t stick.
5: Stir in Cream and Parmesan
Now that you’ve boiled the pasta, it’s time to throw in the heavy cream. Whisk into soup and stir until dissolved, making sure soup is creamy. Then, in a slow, steady pour, add the grated parmesan cheese, letting it slowly melt and incorporate into the soup. Continue to stir the mixture until the soup is as creamy as you want it to be.
6: Add the Sausage and Greens
Return the cooked sausage to the pot, along with any greens such as spinach or kale. The heat of the soup will wilt the greens within only a couple of minutes. Give it all a good stir and allow the soup to simmer for another 5 minutes.
7: Season to Taste
Last, Refine your soup for taste; sprinkle remaining seasoning to taste. If you like a bit more kick, you can also add some salt, pepper or even a pinch of red pepper flakes. Combine everything together to concoct your creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup.
Tips for Perfect Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Because your soup is only as good as its ingredients, here are 5 tricks to making your soup absolutely delicious.
- Fresh Ingredients: Since freshly grated parmesan cheese melts more creamier than pre grated cheese, be sure to use fresh garlic if you have it.
- Adjust the Thickness: Add more heavy cream for a creamier texture or use less if you prefer a lighter sauce.
- Sausage Variety: You could try it with spicy or mild variety sausage to make the taste to your preference.
- More Vegetables: If you want to input more nutrients (and flavor) add a few carrots, celery or zucchini!
- Don’t Overcook: The Pasta Ditalini is a small pasta that can go mushy if overcooked. And be vigilant in checking it to prevent it getting mushy.
- Freeze Leftovers: This soup freezes beautifully, up to 3 months in an all-purpose freezer-friendly container, simply to have a make-ahead meal ready to grab.
The Nutritional Value of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Every creamy Parmesan Italian sausage soup portion has a perfect balance of macronutrients so it fills you up and nurtures you. Here is a nutritional breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Protein: 18 grams
- Fat: 35 grams (about 15 grams are from saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
Healthy fats and protein make this a filling, hearty meal.
Health Benefits of the Ingredients
Spinach
Popeye knew what he was talking about when he said, “I’m strong to the finish ’cause I eat my spinach.” It is a great source of iron, which is important for healthy red blood cells, and it is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, which you need to stay healthy. It also is packed with antioxidants that are thought to alleviate inflammation.
Garlic and Onion
Garlic as well as onion have health benefits in addition to flavor. They are said to be immune-boosting, due to their antibacterial and antiviral qualities. And they flavor without fattening (the beer adds a little somethin’ somethin’, and I live for deglazed pans of anything)!
Sausage
The Italian sausage gives you flavor and protein, but using lower fat meats such as turkey sausage, or low fat sausage, will cut down on the calories and fat. This exchange will lighten the soup without sacrificing flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Though famous for one pot creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup itself, here are a few options to enjoy it as a meal:
- Crusty Bread: Pair that with a few slices of fresh, crusty bread for dipping.
- Side Salad: A simple side green salad with vinaigrette offsets the decadence of the soup.
- Grilled Cheese: You can’t go wrong with a good ol’-fashioned grilled cheese and this soup.
Or to experience real decadence, finish your soup with some more grated parmesan and a glug of olive oil.
Conclusion
This creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup is the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and flavor—in every single bowl. With a velvety smooth base and the savory deliciousness of Italian sausage, this is one soup that will easily become a family favorite. Versatile and simple to cook, the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether you are making a family meal or a special dinner for guests, this soup will have them all begging for more. Give this a try today for creamy, cheesy comfort at its best!
And by following the easy-to-do steps and tips I shared above, I bet you can make a soup that’s just as hearty…and tasty. Since then countless family favorites have taken their place, but this is the kind of dish that brings people together and makes sure they come back for more. Happy cooking!
FAQs
Can you freeze Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
Can you freeze creamy Parmesan Italian sausage soup? To circumvent this, freeze it ahead, before the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are stirred in. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, then add the cream and cheese. In this way, you can have a smooth creamy sauce without it breaking and getting all homogenized.
How many days can I keep this soup refrigerated?
The soup will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best results, let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container. When it comes to reheating, ensure it’s heated gently on the stove, over a low heat – stirring constantly to stop the cream from splitting. If you find the soup gets a bit thick, feel free to add a little chicken broth or water to make it flow like it use to.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! It also makes excellent meal prep. You can make a days-ahead base (sausage, broth, tomatoes) to shortcut. When ready to serve, reheat the soup and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese just before serving to keep the texture bright.