This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is the ultimate cozy 30-minute one-pot Italian dinner! Savory browned Italian sausage morsels, tender ditalini pasta tubes, sweet carrots, celery, and tender Tuscan kale or baby spinach simmer together in a velvety garlic Parmesan cream broth.
Every warm bowl is packed with rich Italian flavors and wholesome ingredients. It’s comforting, satisfying, and comes together effortlessly in just one pot on busy weeknights. Serve with a generous snowfall of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toasted crusty bread for dipping!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick 30-minute one-pot dinner with easy cleanup!
- Tender ditalini pasta cooks directly in the flavorful broth
- Loaded with savory Italian sausage, sweet veggies, and healthy greens
- Rich, velvety restaurant-quality cream broth finished with real grated Parmesan cheese
If you love cozy soups and pasta bakes like our Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup or our Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup, this sausage ditalini soup will quickly become a family favorite.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Here are the wholesome ingredients you’ll need:
- Italian Sausage: 1 lb mild or sweet Italian ground sausage (or hot Italian sausage for a spicy kick).
- Ditalini Pasta: 1.5 cups dry ditalini pasta (small tubular pasta) or tubetti/orzo.
- Mirepoix Veggies: 2 medium carrots (sliced), 2 ribs celery (diced), and 1 medium yellow onion (diced).
- Fresh Greens: 3 cups chopped Tuscan kale (lacinato) or baby spinach leaves.
- Chicken Broth: 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth.
- Heavy Cream: 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for rich creaminess.
- Parmesan Cheese: 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving).
- Garlic & Italian Herbs: 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
How to Make Creamy Sausage Ditalini Soup (Step-by-Step)
1. Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon into bite-sized morsels. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if desired.
2. Sauté Veggies & Simmer Broth: Add the sliced carrots, diced celery, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic to the pot with the sausage. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until tender. Pour in the chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle rolling boil.
3. Cook Ditalini & Add Greens: Stir in the dry ditalini pasta. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta is al dente. Reduce heat to low and stir in the chopped kale (or spinach) and heavy cream, letting the greens wilt gently for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in Parmesan & Serve: Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and velvety smooth. Ladle into warm bowls, top with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper, and serve with toasted bread!
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Cook pasta just al dente: Check the ditalini at the 8-minute mark
- Because the pasta stays in the hot broth, cooking it al dente keeps it perfectly firm
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts best: Use freshly grated Parmesan from a block instead of pre-shredded cheese for the silkiest, non-grainy cream broth
What to Serve with Sausage Ditalini Soup
- Crusty Bread: Warm garlic breadsticks, artisan sourdough, or cheesy focaccia for dipping.
- Salad: A crisp Italian side salad with romaine, pepperoncini, and zesty Italian vinaigrette.
- Wine Pairing: A glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or light Chianti pairs wonderfully with this soup.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To Store: Let soup cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, adding an extra splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the soup as the pasta absorbs liquid over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey sausage?
Yes! Italian seasoned ground turkey or ground chicken sausage works great for a leaner variation.
Can I freeze this soup?
If making ahead to freeze, freeze the soup base before adding the pasta and heavy cream. When reheating, boil and stir in fresh pasta and cream.
More Cozy Soup & Pasta Recipes to Savor Next
- Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup — Olive Garden-style soup with pillowy potato gnocchi.
- Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup — Creamy San Marzano tomato soup with cheese tortellini.
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff — Melt-in-your-mouth tender beef and mushrooms over egg noodles.
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a cozy dish that brings warmth and comfort to chilly days. This scrumptious soup features tender ditalini pasta, savory Italian sausage, and vibrant vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. Perfect for family gatherings or impressing guests with minimal effort, each spoonful offers a delightful celebration of flavors that will make your taste buds dance.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild or sweet Italian ground sausage
- 1.5 cups dry ditalini pasta
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chopped Tuscan kale (or baby spinach)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley and extra Parmesan (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add Italian sausage and crumble with a wooden spoon for 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
- Sauté Veggies & Simmer: Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil.
- Cook Ditalini & Greens: Add dry ditalini pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Reduce heat; stir in chopped kale and heavy cream for 2 minutes.
- Finish with Parmesan & Serve: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Ladle into bowls and serve warm with toasted bread!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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