Description
Hearty Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup delivers comfort in every spoonful, blending rich Italian flavors with creamy indulgence. Warm, satisfying ingredients meld together, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquid and Dairy:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 1 1/2 cups ditalini pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Sear the Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat, crumbling into small pieces until thoroughly browned and cooked through, then transfer to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.
- Using the same pot, drizzle olive oil and sauté diced onions until translucent and soft, approximately 5 minutes, then introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Stream chicken broth into the pot, bringing to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer, then incorporate heavy cream, dried oregano, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to develop a rich, layered flavor profile.
- Introduce ditalini pasta directly into the simmering liquid, cooking for 8 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Reintegrate the previously cooked sausage into the pot, then fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and soften for approximately 2 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat source and vigorously stir grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smoothly integrated throughout the soup.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan shavings and freshly chopped parsley for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Enhance the soup’s flavor by using spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of heat and depth.
- Swap ditalini pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or rice pasta to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Consider using plant-based sausage and dairy-free cream for a vegetarian or vegan version of the soup.
- Control sodium levels by choosing low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring added salt during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg