Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup – Easy DIY Recipes for Cozy Comfort Food

🎉 Introduction

If you’re dreaming of a cozy, comforting soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. It’s rich, savory, loaded with tender vegetables, flavorful Italian sausage, and finished with a luscious parmesan-infused creamy broth that clings beautifully to every piece of ditalini pasta.

This recipe is perfect for chilly evenings, meal prepping for the week, or impressing guests with a rustic yet refined one-pot dinner. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make — no complicated steps, just simple, wholesome ingredients that bring big Italian-inspired flavor.

Whether you serve it with crusty bread, a side salad, or all on its own, this DIY soup will become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.

🧰 Equipment Needed

Here’s everything you need to create this hearty and creamy ditalini soup:

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Grater for Parmesan
• Ladle
• Strainer (optional, for draining sausage or pasta)

🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (use spicy or mild depending on your preference)

🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1–2 cups fresh spinach (optional, chopped)

🍝 Pasta:

• ¾ cup ditalini pasta

🧂 Spices & Seasonings:

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

🧈 Dairy:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
• 1 cup heavy cream

💧 Liquids:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add the Italian sausage. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes). Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same pot, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Seasonings and Broth

Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Once boiling, stir in the ditalini pasta. Cook for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Add Cream and Sausage

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cooked sausage, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often to allow flavors to meld and cheese to melt completely.

Step 6: Add Greens (Optional)

If using spinach, stir it in now and cook for another 2–3 minutes until wilted.

Step 7: Taste and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~40 minutes

Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or cozy weekend cooking.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• For longer storage, freeze soup before adding the cream and pasta to avoid curdling or mushiness.

Reheating:

• Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.
• Microwave in a heat-safe container in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Note: Pasta will continue to absorb broth as it sits, so add extra liquid when reheating if needed.

🥄 Variations

Give your soup a unique twist with these creative and tasty variations:

• Vegetarian Version: Use plant-based sausage or lentils and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
• Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage and add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Tomato Touch: Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of tomato paste for a richer, deeper broth.
• Cheesy Upgrade: Use a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella or Asiago for an extra creamy base.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace ditalini with chopped cauliflower or zucchini for a grain-free version.
• Herbaceous Finish: Add fresh chopped basil, parsley, or thyme just before serving.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use a different pasta?

Yes! Try elbow macaroni, small shells, or orzo if you don’t have ditalini.

2. Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown sausage and sauté veggies first, then add all ingredients except pasta and cream. Cook on low for 6–7 hours, then stir in cream and cooked pasta before serving.

3. Can I make it dairy-free?

Use coconut cream or a non-dairy heavy cream alternative and omit the cheese (or use vegan Parmesan).

4. What’s the best sausage to use?

Italian pork sausage is traditional, but chicken or turkey sausage work just as well.

5. Can I freeze this soup?

Yes — freeze before adding the cream and pasta for best texture. Add them fresh when reheating.

6. How do I make it thicker?

Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes longer, or stir in a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch slurry.

7. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely. Zucchini, kale, mushrooms, or bell peppers all work well.

8. How do I keep pasta from getting soggy?

Cook the pasta separately and add just before serving, especially if storing for later.

9. Is this soup spicy?

It can be! Use mild sausage and skip red pepper flakes for a more kid-friendly version.

10. What should I serve with this soup?

Try:

• Crusty Italian bread
• Garlic toast
• Caesar salad
• Roasted vegetables

🏁 Conclusion

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is everything you want in a cold-weather comfort dish — warm, creamy, hearty, and bursting with classic Italian flavors. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, prepping it for the week, or enjoying a quiet bowl by the fire, this DIY recipe delivers cozy satisfaction every single time.

With just a handful of ingredients and under an hour of your time, you can bring a rustic, soul-warming dish to the table that tastes like it simmered all day. And the best part? It’s easy, adaptable, and foolproof.

So go ahead — grab your soup pot and dive into this irresistible, creamy, cheesy, sausage-studded bowl of bliss.

Adam

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup – Easy DIY Recipes for Cozy Comfort Food

If you’re dreaming of a cozy, comforting soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. It’s rich, savory, loaded with tender vegetables, flavorful Italian sausage, and finished with a luscious parmesan-infused creamy broth that clings beautifully to every piece of ditalini pasta. This recipe is perfect for chilly evenings, meal prepping for the week, or impressing guests with a rustic yet refined one-pot dinner. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make — no complicated steps, just simple, wholesome ingredients that bring big Italian-inspired flavor. Whether you serve it with crusty bread, a side salad, or all on its own, this DIY soup will become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🥩 Protein:

• 1 lb 450g Italian sausage, casings removed (use spicy or mild depending on your preference)

🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 –2 cups fresh spinach optional, chopped

🍝 Pasta:

• ¾ cup ditalini pasta

🧂 Spices & Seasonings:

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional for heat
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

🧈 Dairy:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for garnish
• 1 cup heavy cream

💧 Liquids:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water

Equipment

• Here’s everything you need to create this hearty and creamy ditalini soup:
• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Grater for Parmesan
• Ladle
• Strainer (optional, for draining sausage or pasta)

Method

 

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

1. In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add the Italian sausage. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes). Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

1. In the same pot, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Seasonings and Broth

1. Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

1. Once boiling, stir in the ditalini pasta. Cook for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Add Cream and Sausage

1. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cooked sausage, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often to allow flavors to meld and cheese to melt completely.

Step 6: Add Greens (Optional)

1. If using spinach, stir it in now and cook for another 2–3 minutes until wilted.

Step 7: Taste and Serve

1. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze soup before adding the cream and pasta to avoid curdling or mushiness.

Reheating:
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.

Microwave in a heat-safe container in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Note: Pasta will continue to absorb broth as it sits, so add extra liquid when reheating if needed.

🥄 Variations
Give your soup a unique twist with these creative and tasty variations:

Vegetarian Version: Use plant-based sausage or lentils and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.

Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage and add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes.

Tomato Touch: Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of tomato paste for a richer, deeper broth.

Cheesy Upgrade: Use a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella or Asiago for an extra creamy base.

Low-Carb Option: Replace ditalini with chopped cauliflower or zucchini for a grain-free version.

Herbaceous Finish: Add fresh chopped basil, parsley, or thyme just before serving.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use a different pasta?
Yes! Try elbow macaroni, small shells, or orzo if you don’t have ditalini.

2. Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown sausage and sauté veggies first, then add all ingredients except pasta and cream. Cook on low for 6–7 hours, then stir in cream and cooked pasta before serving.

3. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use coconut cream or a non-dairy heavy cream alternative and omit the cheese (or use vegan Parmesan).

4. What’s the best sausage to use?
Italian pork sausage is traditional, but chicken or turkey sausage work just as well.

5. Can I freeze this soup?
Yes — freeze before adding the cream and pasta for best texture. Add them fresh when reheating.

6. How do I make it thicker?
Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes longer, or stir in a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch slurry.

7. Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely. Zucchini, kale, mushrooms, or bell peppers all work well.

8. How do I keep pasta from getting soggy?
Cook the pasta separately and add just before serving, especially if storing for later.

9. Is this soup spicy?
It can be! Use mild sausage and skip red pepper flakes for a more kid-friendly version.

10. What should I serve with this soup?
Try:

Crusty Italian bread

Garlic toast

Caesar salad

Roasted vegetables

🏁 Conclusion
Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is everything you want in a cold-weather comfort dish — warm, creamy, hearty, and bursting with classic Italian flavors. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, prepping it for the week, or enjoying a quiet bowl by the fire, this DIY recipe delivers cozy satisfaction every single time.

With just a handful of ingredients and under an hour of your time, you can bring a rustic, soul-warming dish to the table that tastes like it simmered all day. And the best part? It’s easy, adaptable, and foolproof.

So go ahead — grab your soup pot and dive into this irresistible, creamy, cheesy, sausage-studded bowl of bliss.