Experience the ultimate comfort in a bowl with this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup! This hearty and flavorful soup combines a rich, creamy broth with savory Italian sausage, perfectly tender pasta, a medley of fresh vegetables, and the bright, herbaceous notes of sun-dried tomatoes. It’s an irresistibly satisfying dish that promises warmth and flavor with every spoonful, making it a perfect meal for cozy evenings.
Craving more comforting bowls of deliciousness? Be sure to explore our White Bean and Sausage Soup or dive into the robust flavors of Tuscan Sausage and Potato Soup for more family favorites.
Indulge in the Best Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup
Prepare to discover your new favorite comfort food obsession! This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup is a harmonious fusion of everything you love in a hearty, soul-warming meal. It draws inspiration from the best elements of classic sausage potato soup and traditional sausage pasta soup, elevating them into a rich, flavorful experience that’s truly exceptional. Its thick, velvety broth cradles al dente pasta, perfectly seasoned ground Italian sausage, and an assortment of tender vegetables, all brightened by the exquisite pop of sun-dried tomatoes infused with herbs. Each bite delivers a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you completely satisfied.
This soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an invitation to pure culinary comfort. Whether you’re battling a chilly evening or simply seeking a satisfying dish, this Italian Sausage Pasta Soup hits all the right notes. For an extra touch of indulgence, pair it with soft, fluffy dinner rolls or a crusty baguette, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible broth. It’s a bowl of happiness, meticulously crafted to bring warmth and joy to your table.
Why This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
- Rich & Velvety Texture: The combination of chicken broth, heavy cream, and a touch of flour creates an incredibly smooth and luxurious base that coats every ingredient beautifully.
- Bursting with Flavor: Savory Italian sausage, aromatic garlic and onions, sweet carrots, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes layer together to build a complex, delightful flavor profile.
- Hearty & Filling: Packed with protein from the sausage and carbs from the pasta, this soup is substantial enough to be a complete meal, leaving you feeling wonderfully full and content.
- Easy to Customize: Adapt the spice level of your sausage, swap out the greens, or experiment with different small pasta shapes to make it uniquely yours.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From a quick weeknight dinner to a comforting family gathering, this soup is versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.
Essential Ingredients for Your Italian Sausage Pasta Soup
Crafting this exceptional Italian Sausage Pasta Soup requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients that work together to create its signature flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Olive oil: A foundational ingredient, extra virgin olive oil provides a robust and fruity base for browning the sausage and sautéing the vegetables. Its rich flavor enhances the overall depth of the soup.
- Italian Sausage: The star of the show! Whether you prefer mild or hot, Italian sausage infuses the soup with its characteristic savory, fennel-laced flavor. Choosing a sausage with good marbling will contribute to a more flavorful broth. Remember to remove casings if using links.
- Unsalted butter: Butter adds an incredible richness and velvety mouthfeel to the soup base, deepening the flavors and creating a luxurious texture that cream alone can’t achieve.
- Yellow onion and carrots: These aromatic vegetables form the classic mirepoix base, slowly sautéed until tender and sweet. Dicing them finely ensures they integrate seamlessly into the soup without providing an unwanted crunch, adding essential flavor and a subtle sweetness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is highly recommended for its pungent aroma and robust flavor, which is crucial in Italian-inspired dishes. Jarred minced garlic can be used as a convenient substitute if fresh isn’t available.
- White flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour acts as a thickener, creating a roux with the butter and sausage drippings. This gives the soup its desirable creamy consistency and helps emulsify the broth.
- Chicken broth: The liquid base of your soup. Opt for a high-quality store-bought chicken broth or stock, such as Swanson’s, for the best flavor. Low-sodium varieties allow you to control the salt content more precisely.
- Mini Farfalle pasta: Also known as mini bowtie pasta, this small shape is ideal for soups as it cooks quickly and is easy to eat with a spoon. Any small, quick-cooking pasta shape like ditalini, small shells, or orzo will work well here.
- Heavy cream: The secret to the soup’s incredible creaminess. Heavy cream (or whipping cream) adds richness and a smooth, luxurious texture without making the soup overly heavy.
- Kale: Freshly chopped kale adds a touch of earthiness, vibrant color, and a boost of nutrients. Its sturdy leaves hold up well in soup. Fresh spinach is an excellent alternative if kale isn’t preferred or available; just add it at the very end as it wilts quickly.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These intensely flavored tomatoes, especially those packed in oil with herbs, deliver a concentrated sweet-tart taste and a fantastic chewy texture. They are a powerhouse of flavor that truly elevates the soup.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated good-quality Parmesan cheese, ideally from the refrigerated section, provides a salty, umami-rich finish. Its fine, sandy texture melts beautifully into the soup. Avoid shelf-stable pre-grated Parmesan, as it often contains anti-caking agents and lacks the authentic flavor.
Quick Tip: Choosing Your Italian Sausage
When selecting Italian sausage, you have a choice between mild (often called sweet) and hot. Mild Italian sausage typically contains sweet basil and subtle seasonings, providing a gentler flavor profile. If you desire a sweeter soup, you can enhance it by adding extra basil and black pepper. For those who crave a kick, hot Italian sausage includes red pepper flakes, or you can simply add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your mild sausage during cooking to control the heat level precisely. The fat content, or marbling, in the sausage is also key, as it renders down to add immense flavor to the broth.
Crafting Your Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this rich and creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve a perfect, flavorful bowl every time:
- Brown the Sausage to Perfection: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Once shimmering, add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season it with salt and pepper. Sear the sausage for about a minute on each side to develop a rich crust, then continue to crumble and cook until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked sausage from the pot, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon of the flavorful drippings behind. Drain any excess grease from the sausage and set it aside. This crucial step builds the foundational flavor for your soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the pot with the remaining sausage drippings. Once melted, add the finely diced yellow onion and carrots. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent, which should take about 7–9 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the Roux and Broth Base: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir constantly for about one minute to cook out the raw flour taste, creating a light roux. This will act as your thickening agent. Next, gradually pour in just 1 cup of the chicken broth, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, lump-free slurry. Slowly add the remaining chicken broth, continuing to whisk and scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and incorporate all the flavorful browned bits.
- Cook the Pasta to Al Dente: Increase the heat and bring the broth mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the mini bowtie pasta (or your chosen small pasta shape). Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but aim to undercook it by one minute. This “al dente” approach ensures the pasta remains tender but firm, preventing it from becoming mushy as it continues to absorb liquid in the soup. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Enrich with Cream, Greens, and Tomatoes: Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, finely chopped kale, and sun-dried tomatoes. Mix well until the kale begins to wilt. Now, gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, a few tablespoons at a time, stirring continuously until it completely melts into the soup. This gradual addition prevents the cheese from clumping.
- Final Touches and Serving: Finally, return the browned Italian sausage to the pot, stirring to combine. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little more chicken broth or cream at this stage. Serve the soup hot, perhaps with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or additional Parmesan. This is a moment to savor your creation!
Perfect Pairings: What To Serve With Italian Sausage Pasta Soup
This creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup is a meal in itself, but pairing it with the right sides can elevate the dining experience even further. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Crusty Bread or Rolls: Nothing complements a comforting soup like a warm, crusty slice of bread. Spread with a little butter, it’s perfect for dipping into the rich broth. Another excellent choice is our homemade focaccia, known for its soft interior and crispy, olive oil-infused crust.
- Fresh Italian Salad: A light, vibrant Italian salad offers a wonderful contrast to the creamy richness of the soup. Crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and a zesty vinaigrette can cut through the richness and cleanse the palate.
- Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For the ultimate comfort food duo, serve your soup alongside a gooey, golden grilled cheese sandwich. The nostalgic pairing is always a winner, especially on a cold day.
- Seasonal Fruit Salad: An easy and refreshing side dish that adds a touch of sweetness and lightness. A simple winter fruit salad, with its bright colors and flavors, can provide a delightful counterpoint to the savory soup.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Soup
To ensure your Italian Sausage Pasta Soup remains delicious for days, especially the pasta, consider these storage strategies. It’s highly recommended to keep the cooked pasta separate from the soup broth when storing. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming overly soft or mushy. A wire skimmer or slotted spoon works perfectly for scooping out the pasta before refrigerating the broth and veggies. The soup (without pasta) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or frozen for up to three months. When reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop and add your separately stored pasta. If the soup appears too thick, simply stir in a little extra chicken broth or heavy cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
Make Ahead Instructions: For convenient meal prep, you can prepare the soup base up to step 4 (after cooking the pasta). At this point, carefully remove the cooked pasta and store it in a separate airtight container. Then, add the cream, Parmesan, kale, and sun-dried tomatoes to the broth, and stir in the cooked sausage. Store this creamy sausage and vegetable mixture separately from the pasta. When ready to serve, reheat the soup base and add the pre-cooked pasta just until warmed through, ensuring perfect texture every time.
More Comforting Soup Recipes You’ll Love:
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting embrace of our Italian Sausage Pasta Soup, you’re in for a treat! Explore more of our favorite hearty and delicious soup recipes perfect for any time of year:
- Cheeseburger Soup: A wonderfully rich and cheesy soup that captures all the flavors of your favorite burger in a bowl.
- Ham And Bean Soup: The perfect recipe for utilizing leftover holiday ham, creating a smoky, savory, and satisfying meal.
- Lasagna Soup: All the classic layers and flavors of lasagna, transformed into a comforting, easy-to-make soup, complete with Italian sausage.
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili: A spicy and flavorful chili made effortlessly in your slow cooker, featuring tender chicken and a zesty buffalo kick.
- Southwestern Corn Chowder: A creamy and vibrant chowder featuring the smoky sweetness of fire-roasted corn and a touch of Southwestern flair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this soup vegetarian, simply substitute the Italian sausage with a plant-based ground sausage alternative or even some seasoned lentils. Replace chicken broth with a good quality vegetable broth. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegetarian-friendly, ensuring you still get a rich, flavorful, and comforting bowl.
What if my soup is too thick or too thin?
If your soup turns out too thick, you can easily thin it down by gradually adding more chicken broth or a splash of heavy cream until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can simmer it gently for a longer period to allow some of the liquid to evaporate, or create a small slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water and whisk it into the simmering soup, letting it cook for a few minutes to thicken.
Can I use other types of pasta?
Yes, you can! While mini farfalle (bowtie) is suggested for its ideal size and cooking time, any small pasta shape that cooks in approximately 6-8 minutes will work well. Ditalini, small shells, elbow macaroni, or orzo are all excellent choices. Avoid larger pasta shapes like penne or rotini, as they can absorb too much liquid and may overwhelm the soup’s balance.
How long does it take to prepare this soup?
This Italian Sausage Pasta Soup is designed to be a relatively quick and efficient recipe, perfect for weeknights. The total preparation and cook time combined is approximately 1 hour, with roughly 30 minutes for prep (chopping vegetables, browning sausage) and 30 minutes for cooking and simmering. This makes it an ideal choice for a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Definitely! This soup is very versatile. Feel free to add other finely diced vegetables such as celery, zucchini, bell peppers, or even a handful of frozen peas during the last few minutes of simmering. Just ensure they are cut small enough to cook through quickly and blend well with the existing ingredients. Each addition can bring a new layer of flavor and nutrition.
Print Recipe
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup
Video
Equipment
- Large pot 5.5-quarts (Dutch oven recommended)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage see note 1
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups finely diced yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
- 2 cups finely diced carrots (about 4–5 carrots)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 7-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups mini bowtie pasta see note 2
- 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2-1/2 packed cups finely chopped kale
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped, packed in oil with herbs
- 1/2 packed cup grated Parmesan cheese refrigerated, sandy texture; see note 3
- Hearty buttered bread optional, for serving
- Red pepper flakes optional, for serving, for extra heat
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the Italian sausage, along with salt and pepper. Sear for a minute on each side, then break it apart with a spoon and cook until thoroughly browned. Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot. Drain any excess grease from the sausage and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter, finely diced yellow onions, carrots, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 7–9 minutes. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
- Gradually add 1 cup of chicken broth, whisking constantly to form a smooth slurry. Slowly pour in the remaining chicken broth, continuing to whisk and scrape the bottom of the pot to incorporate any flavorful browned bits.
- Increase the heat to bring the broth to a boil. Add the mini bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by one minute to ensure it remains al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, finely chopped kale, and sun-dried tomatoes. Mix well until combined. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, a few tablespoons at a time, stirring continuously until it melts smoothly into the soup to avoid clumping. Return the cooked Italian sausage to the pot.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. For a thinner consistency, add a little more broth or cream. Serve hot, ideally with a side of hearty buttered bread. Garnish with red pepper flakes for an extra kick, if desired!
Recipe Notes
Note 2: Small pasta shapes that cook in 6–8 minutes, such as mini bowtie, ditalini, or small shells, are ideal for this soup. Avoid larger pasta shapes that may absorb too much liquid and alter the soup’s texture.
Note 3: For optimal flavor and melt, use refrigerated grated Parmesan cheese with a sandy texture. Avoid shelf-stable versions, which are often excessively salty and lack authentic taste.
Storage: To prevent pasta from becoming mushy, store cooked pasta separately from the soup broth. Use a spider strainer or slotted spoon to separate them. The soup base (without pasta) can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently, adding extra broth or cream if the consistency is too thick.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the soup up to step 4. Once the pasta is cooked, remove it and store in a separate container. Then, proceed to add the cream, Parmesan, kale, tomatoes, and sausage to the broth. Store this soup base separately from the pasta. Recombine and warm through when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 754 kcal
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 56g
Saturated Fat: 26g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
Monounsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 148mg
Sodium: 1940mg
Potassium: 1286mg
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 15g
Vitamin A: 30288 IU
Vitamin C: 41mg
Calcium: 279mg
Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.