Description
Hearty “Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup” brings robust flavors from rustic kitchens of Italy, blending rich sausage, tender pasta, and aromatic herbs. Comforting warmth welcomes you to savor each spoonful of this classic Mediterranean comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) ditalini pasta
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature. Crumble italian sausage and cook until thoroughly browned and crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to a separate dish.
- Using the same pot, sauté diced onions, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery until onions become translucent and vegetables soften, around 5 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, incorporating dried oregano and basil. Stir ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add ditalini pasta to the simmering broth. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from sticking, until pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Gently incorporate heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing them to meld into the broth and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Reintroduce cooked sausage to the pot. Fold in fresh spinach and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until spinach wilts completely. Season with salt and pepper according to preference.
- Portion soup into serving bowls. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve alongside crusty bread for an enhanced dining experience.
Notes
- Swap Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets, ensuring protein and flavor remain robust.
- Reduce cream and use half-and-half or milk for lighter versions without compromising creamy texture.
- Choose gluten-free ditalini pasta to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, maintaining authentic soup experience.
- Enhance nutritional profile by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or kale for increased vitamins and fiber content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 312 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg