Introduction
This creamy sausage pasta soup combines savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, vegetables, and a luscious cream-based broth. It’s a hearty, satisfying one-pot meal that’s easy to make and family-friendly.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz small pasta (ditalini, elbow macaroni, or shells)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, extra Parmesan
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Sausage: Mild or spicy Italian sausage works; you can also use turkey sausage.
- Pasta: Small shapes work best for soup.
- Cream: Heavy cream makes it rich, half-and-half makes it lighter.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook Sausage
- In a large pot, brown sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces.
- Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Vegetables
- Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add Broth & Seasoning
- Stir in chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook Pasta
- Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until tender.
- Finish Soup
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- If using spinach or kale, stir in during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking.
- Serve
- Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve with crusty bread.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Protein: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
💡 Tips
- Brown sausage well for deeper flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best taste and smooth texture.
- Soup thickens as it sits; add a little extra broth or milk when reheating.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Version: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Vegetable Boost: Add zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Cheesy Pasta Soup: Stir in extra shredded cheese at the end.
- Slow Cooker Version: Brown sausage and sauté vegetables, then add all ingredients (except cream) to slow cooker; cook 4 hours on low, add cream at the end.
