This hearty and comforting soup features flavorful Italian sausage, tender ditalini pasta, and a rich, creamy parmesan broth. It’s perfect for a chilly evening or a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), removed from casings
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- Brown the sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Add the ditalini pasta to the soup and cook according to the package directions, until al dente.
- Add cream and parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through.
- Return the sausage: Add the cooked Italian sausage back to the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Optional additions:
- Add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
- Substitute other small pasta shapes like orzo or farfalle.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter soup.
- Add a splash of white wine after sautéing the vegetables.
Enjoy!