Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
When the weather turns chilly or you’re just craving a bowl of soul-warming comfort, nothing hits the spot like a big, hearty bowl of Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup. This is the kind of rustic, cozy meal that tastes like it simmered on the stovetop for hours — but it comes together in less than an hour. It’s creamy, cheesy, rich with Italian flavor, and packed with pasta and sausage in every spoonful.
This one-pot meal is a weeknight dream — it’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and the flavor only gets better the next day. Perfect for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or impressing guests with a homestyle dish that feels like it came straight from an Italian kitchen.
🍲 Why You’ll Love This Creamy Ditalini Soup
- Rich & flavorful – Italian sausage infuses every bite with bold, savory goodness
- Comforting & creamy – A touch of cream and Parmesan cheese creates velvety perfection
- Quick & easy – Done in under 45 minutes with simple ingredients
- Family-friendly – Even picky eaters clean their bowls
- Perfect leftovers – Like many soups, it tastes even better the next day
This soup is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, especially with a side of warm crusty bread or a fresh green salad.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this irresistible Italian sausage ditalini soup:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on preference)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium if preferred)
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or other small pasta like orzo or elbows)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for sautéing
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, for a spicy kick (optional)
👨🍳 How to Make Creamy Parmesan Sausage Ditalini Soup
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Cook until fully browned and cooked through.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
- In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 3: Add Broth and Pasta
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions (about 8–10 minutes), until just al dente.
📝 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Make It Creamy
- Once the pasta is cooked, lower the heat to medium-low.
- Add the cooked sausage back into the pot.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until melted and smooth.
- Simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
💡 Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This soup is a full meal on its own, but here are a few serving ideas to elevate it:
- Crusty Italian bread or garlic knots for dipping
- A side of Caesar salad or simple mixed greens
- A glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio for a relaxed dinner vibe
- Grated Parmesan and fresh parsley on top for garnish
Serve hot and prepare for empty bowls and requests for seconds!
📦 Storage & Reheating Tips
To Store:
- Let soup cool completely. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Freeze:
- Omit the pasta if freezing (it can become mushy).
- Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Add fresh pasta after reheating, if desired.
To Reheat:
- Warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if it has thickened.
- Stir occasionally and heat until hot throughout.
🔄 Recipe Variations
Want to make this your own? Here are some tasty twists:
- Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage and add extra red pepper flakes
- Lighten it up: Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of cream
- Add greens: Stir in chopped spinach, kale, or Swiss chard at the end
- Change the pasta: Orzo, elbow macaroni, small shells, or even cauliflower rice work great
- Extra veggies: Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers are great additions
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free ditalini or small pasta
💬 What People Are Saying
“I made this for my family last night and EVERYONE loved it — even my picky 7-year-old!”
– Amanda, Ohio
“This soup is restaurant-quality. The Parmesan and sausage combo is everything.”
– Chris, Arizona
“Creamy, hearty, and comforting. It’s going into my regular rotation.”
– Lauren, North Carolina
❤️ Final Thoughts: A Bowl of Pure Comfort
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is the very definition of comfort food — creamy, hearty, flavorful, and soul-satisfying. It’s proof that simple ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary. With its cheesy richness, savory sausage, and pasta in every bite, this is a dish that brings the family running to the table.
Make it once, and we guarantee it will become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.