Description
Warm up with this comforting Cozy Ditalini Soup featuring creamy Parmesan, hearty Italian sausage, and nutritious spinach. Perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a satisfying bowl of soup.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (uncooked)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened. Stir in Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and water, then bring to a boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Finish the Soup: Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy. Add spinach and cook for 1–2 more minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use kale instead of spinach for a heartier texture.
- You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Leftovers may thicken—add a splash of broth or cream when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
