This creamy sausage pasta soup is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. Rich, hearty, and packed with tender pasta, savory sausage, and a velvety broth, it’s perfect for cozy dinners and warming up on chilly nights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups small pasta (ditalini, shells, or rotini)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
Instructions
1. Brown the Sausage
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the sausage.
Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
Remove excess grease if needed and set the sausage aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics
Add olive oil to the same pot.
Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Build the Soup Base
Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes.
Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Cook the Pasta
Add the pasta to the pot and reduce heat to a simmer.
Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
5. Make It Creamy
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and cooked sausage.
Simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
6. Finish the Soup
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Add the spinach or kale and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
7. Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot with crusty bread or garlic toast.
