Description
This Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring savory ground Italian sausage, tender ditalini pasta, and a rich, creamy broth made with heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Loaded with aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, this soup is perfect for a quick weeknight meal, ready in just 30 minutes and yielding 6 satisfying servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked. Remove any excess grease from the pot and set the sausage aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté the diced onions, chopped carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the ditalini pasta, then cook uncovered for approximately 8 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, return the browned sausage to the pot, and stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted completely and the soup becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or accompanied by crusty bread.
Notes
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor and melts better into the soup compared to pre-grated varieties.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Be careful not to overcook the ditalini pasta to avoid mushy texture; al dente is best for a pleasant bite.
- This soup can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating if it thickens too much.
