If you are searching for a heartwarming and flavorful bowl to cozy up with on any day, this Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe is a must-try. It combines the savory richness of beef Italian sausage with the tender bite of ditalini pasta and the bright freshness of greens, all brought together by a hearty tomato and beef broth base. Each spoonful delivers layers of comforting flavors, perfectly balanced by the creamy melt of Parmesan cheese, making it one of those dishes you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that you probably already have, each playing a vital role in building the soup’s incredible flavor, texture, and color. From the aromatic vegetables to the robust herbs and cheese, every element shines.
- Beef Italian Sausage: Adds rich, savory depth and a little spice to the soup’s base.
- Ditalini Pasta: Small tube-shaped pasta that holds onto the broth beautifully and adds satisfying texture.
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the soup for creamy, umami goodness.
- Onion: Creates a fragrant and sweet foundation when sautéed.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- Celery: Adds subtle earthiness and a classic soup crunch.
- Garlic: Infuses the broth with aromatic warmth.
- Beef Broth: Provides hearty liquid and robust flavor.
- Balsamic Vinegar or Beef Broth (for deglazing): Lifts all those tasty browned bits off the bottom for extra richness.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Give the soup its vibrant color and tangy undertone.
- Fresh Spinach or Kale: Adds freshness and a pop of green nutrition.
- Dried Oregano: Imparts an herby Mediterranean note.
- Dried Basil: Complements oregano with sweet herbal accents.
- Bay Leaf: Deepens the flavor with subtle aromatic complexity.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Bring a gentle touch of heat and excitement.
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens the finished dish with fresh herbal cheer.
How to Make Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the sausage thoroughly until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. This initial browning step creates a savory base packed with flavor. Afterward, use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, but don’t discard the glorious rendered fat left behind in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Lower the heat to medium and add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the sausage drippings. Sauté these vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften and their natural sweetness begins to emerge. This classic soffritto layer is what gives the soup its comfort-food soul.
Step 3: Build Flavor with Garlic and Herbs
Next, stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil, cooking for just about one minute until fragrant. Then pour in a splash of balsamic vinegar or a quarter cup of beef broth to deglaze the pot. Scrape up any flavorful browned bits clinging to the bottom with a wooden spoon—this step intensifies the depth of your soup.
Step 4: Add Liquids and Simmer
Pour in crushed tomatoes and the remaining beef broth, adding the bay leaf as well. Bring everything to a gentle simmer before reducing heat to low and covering the pot. Allow the soup to simmer for at least 15-20 minutes so the flavors marry beautifully and deepen.
Step 5: Cook the Ditalini Pasta
Turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring the soup to a rolling boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions, typically 7-9 minutes, until al dente. The pasta will soak up some of the delicious broth and add wonderful body to the soup.
Step 6: Add Greens and Sausage Back In
Once the pasta is just right, return the browned beef Italian sausage to the pot. Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the greens have wilted and softened. This step adds freshness and a lovely pop of color.
Step 7: Finish with Parmesan Cheese
Remove the bay leaf, then stir in about half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated. This enriches the soup with creamy, nutty undertones and ties all the ingredients together. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnishing each serving with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for brightness. Serve immediately and prepare to be delighted by every warm, comforting spoonful of this Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe.
How to Serve Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an absolute must for garnishing—it adds a sharp, creamy finish. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley not only brightens the flavor but also adds a visually vibrant touch that makes each bowl feel special and inviting.
Side Dishes
This soup shines wonderfully on its own, but pairing it with some crusty artisan bread or garlic bread can elevate your meal perfectly. A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette also complements the soup nicely if you’re craving something fresh on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in mini bread bowls, which soak up all that delicious broth and make the meal feel extra cozy. You can also sprinkle some extra red pepper flakes on top for guests who want a bit more heat. Adding a drizzle of high-quality olive oil right before serving brings a lovely richness and shine to the bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your delightful meal, store any leftover Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop even more after resting, making the leftovers even tastier the next day.
Freezing
This soup freezes very well. To freeze, cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. Keeping the pasta separate before freezing is an option if you want to avoid texture changes, but the ditalini usually holds up nicely.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You might want to add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the consistency, especially if the pasta has absorbed a lot of liquid while stored. Top again with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for that fresh-from-the-pot feel.
FAQs
Can I use other types of sausage instead of beef Italian sausage?
Absolutely! While beef Italian sausage gives a great depth of flavor, pork sausage or turkey sausage can be used as well. Just be mindful of seasoning differences and adjust herbs and spices accordingly.
Is ditalini pasta essential for this soup?
Ditalini pasta works wonderfully because of its size and shape, but you can substitute with other small shapes like elbow macaroni, or even orzo. The key is to use small pasta so it complements rather than overwhelms the soup.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the beef Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or smoked mushrooms, and use vegetable broth in place of beef broth. The Parmesan cheese adds flavor depth, but you could swap it for a vegetarian-friendly cheese if needed.
What if I want the soup spicier?
Feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce when serving. You can also use a spicy Italian sausage to amp up the heat naturally.
How do I prevent the pasta from getting mushy when reheating?
If you anticipate leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual servings when you reheat the soup. This keeps the pasta perfectly al dente without absorbing too much liquid during storage.
Final Thoughts
This Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe is one of those delightful dishes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It offers comfort without fuss and brings together familiar ingredients in a way that feels special every single time. Whether you want a simple weeknight dinner or a soup to impress friends and family, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite on your table. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own!
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Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A hearty and comforting Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup featuring flavorful Italian sausage, tender vegetables, tender ditalini pasta, and fresh greens all simmered in a savory tomato and beef broth base, finished with melted Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Sausage and Meat
- 1 lb Beef Italian Sausage
Vegetables
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 medium Carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach or Kale
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Liquids and Broth
- 4 cups Beef Broth, divided
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar (or an additional 1/4 cup Beef Broth for deglazing)
- 1 (14 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes
Pasta
- 3/4 cup Ditalini Pasta
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, plus extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown thoroughly until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with sausage drippings. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in a splash of balsamic vinegar or 1/4 cup beef broth to deglaze, scraping browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in crushed tomatoes and remaining beef broth. Add the bay leaf. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15-20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a rolling boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook 7-9 minutes or until al dente, following package instructions.
- Finish Soup: Return cooked sausage to the pot. Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook 2-3 minutes until greens wilt.
- Add Cheese and Season: Remove bay leaf. Stir in about 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute kale for spinach if preferred; both work well in this soup.
- Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter variation.
- To make it spicier, increase the red pepper flakes amount or add a pinch of crushed red chili.
- Ditalini pasta can be replaced with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, cook the pasta slightly less and let it simmer uncovered to thicken broth.
