Description
Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup features savory sausage, tender pasta, and cheesy Parmesan for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage (sweet or hot, depending on preference)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks, diced (about ½ cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz (226g) ditalini pasta
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Remove the Italian sausage from its casing and add to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks until nicely browned, about 5-6 minutes. If there’s excessive fat, drain all but about 1 tablespoon from the pot.
- Step 2: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the browned sausage. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Step 3: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, using them to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the tomato paste and mix well to incorporate it into the vegetable and sausage mixture.
- Step 4: Add the chicken broth, dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). If you have a Parmesan rind, add it now. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cover partially and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 5: Add the ditalini pasta to the simmering soup. Cook according to the package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The soup will thicken slightly as the pasta cooks and releases starch into the broth.
- Step 6: Once the pasta is tender, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. Finish by stirring in the fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg