Description
A cozy and creamy Parmesan sausage ditalini soup featuring Italian sausage, tender ditalini pasta, and fresh spinach, all simmered in a rich and flavorful broth with Parmesan cheese and a touch of Italian seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and crumble it as it cooks. Brown the sausage thoroughly, then remove any excess grease from the pot to keep the soup from being too oily.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the cooked sausage. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onions are softened and fragrant, which builds a flavor base for the soup.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the Italian seasoning. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to blend all the flavors together.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the ditalini pasta and continue cooking the soup until the pasta is tender, approximately 10 minutes. This allows the pasta to absorb the flavors of the broth.
- Finish with Spinach and Parmesan: Add the baby spinach leaves and grated Parmesan cheese to the soup. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the cheese has melted smoothly into the soup, enriching its creaminess.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- You can use either mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference for heat.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the soup may be less creamy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to prevent curdling of the cream.
- Feel free to add additional vegetables like carrots or celery for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Parmesan cheese is best freshly grated for optimal taste and melting quality.
