🎉 Introduction
There’s something magical about a bowl of creamy, cheesy pasta soup. It’s the kind of comfort food that warms you from the inside out, especially when paired with aromatic herbs, tender pasta, and hearty sausage. This Creamy Parmesan Pasta Soup with Italian Sausage is the perfect weeknight dinner—it’s rich, satisfying, and comes together in under an hour.
What makes this dish so special is the combination of flavors. The savory Italian sausage adds depth, the garlic and herbs infuse it with an irresistible aroma, and the Parmesan cheese ties everything together with a nutty creaminess. Add in ditalini pasta, and you’ve got a soup that’s both hearty and indulgent.
Best of all, it’s versatile. You can make it with chicken or turkey Italian sausage for a lighter option, swap in gluten-free pasta if needed, or add extra vegetables for a nutrient boost. Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dinner or a cozy gathering with friends, this creamy pasta soup is sure to impress.
🧰 Equipment Needed
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven
- Sharp Knife & Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Ladle (for serving)
- Grater (for fresh Parmesan)
🛒 Ingredients
Meat
- 1 lb Italian sausage (chicken or turkey, casing removed)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 14.5 oz Canned tomatoes (diced)
- 1 tsp Dried basil
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- ¼ cup Fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta & Broth
- 1 cup Ditalini pasta (or other small pasta)
- 4 cups Chicken stock
Dairy
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Oils & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt (to taste)
- ½ tsp Black pepper (to taste)
👩🍳 Directions
Here’s how to make this creamy pasta soup step by step:
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Chop parsley for garnish.
- Grate Parmesan cheese if using fresh.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook until browned and fully cooked (6–7 minutes).
- Remove excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Sauté Onion and Garlic
- Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes, Herbs & Broth
- Stir in canned tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour in chicken stock and bring mixture to a boil.
Step 5: Cook Pasta
- Add ditalini pasta directly into the pot.
- Cook until pasta is al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Make It Creamy
- Lower heat and stir in heavy cream.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and soup is creamy.
Step 7: Adjust & Garnish
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Step 8: Serve Hot
- Ladle soup into bowls.
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6 bowls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze without the pasta (to prevent mushiness) for up to 2 months. Cook pasta fresh when reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
🥄 Variations
- Veggie-Loaded: Add spinach, kale, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Cheese Swap: Try Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- Kid-Friendly: Reduce seasoning slightly and add more cream for a milder taste.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes—small pasta like elbow macaroni, orzo, or small shells work well.
2. Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes—skip sausage and use vegetable stock. Add beans for protein.
3. Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but the soup will be thinner. Add a cornstarch slurry if needed.
4. How do I prevent pasta from overcooking?
Cook it just until al dente and avoid simmering too long after adding.
5. Can I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Yes—cook sausage and aromatics first, then add to crockpot with broth and tomatoes. Add cream, cheese, and pasta in the last 30 minutes.
6. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes—use 2–3 fresh tomatoes, diced.
7. Will the soup thicken as it cools?
Yes, reheat with extra broth or cream.
8. Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, just use a larger pot and adjust seasonings to taste.
9. Can I add rice instead of pasta?
Yes—cook rice separately and add when serving to avoid mushiness.
10. What’s the best bread to serve with this soup?
Crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, or focaccia pair beautifully.
🏁 Conclusion
This Creamy Parmesan Pasta Soup with Italian Sausage is the definition of cozy comfort food. With savory sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy Parmesan broth, it’s hearty enough for dinner yet simple enough for busy weeknights.
It’s versatile, customizable, and guaranteed to please the whole family. Pair it with bread or a crisp salad, and you’ve got a complete meal in under an hour. Make it once, and it just might become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
Creamy Parmesan Pasta Soup with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Here’s how to make this creamy pasta soup step by step:
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Chop parsley for garnish.
- Grate Parmesan cheese if using fresh.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook until browned and fully cooked (6–7 minutes).
- Remove excess grease if needed.
- Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in canned tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour in chicken stock and bring mixture to a boil.
- Add ditalini pasta directly into the pot.
- Cook until pasta is al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Lower heat and stir in heavy cream.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and soup is creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Ladle soup into bowls.
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping.
Notes
Yes—small pasta like elbow macaroni, orzo, or small shells work well. 2. Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes—skip sausage and use vegetable stock. Add beans for protein. 3. Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but the soup will be thinner. Add a cornstarch slurry if needed. 4. How do I prevent pasta from overcooking?
Cook it just until al dente and avoid simmering too long after adding. 5. Can I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Yes—cook sausage and aromatics first, then add to crockpot with broth and tomatoes. Add cream, cheese, and pasta in the last 30 minutes. 6. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes—use 2–3 fresh tomatoes, diced. 7. Will the soup thicken as it cools?
Yes, reheat with extra broth or cream. 8. Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, just use a larger pot and adjust seasonings to taste. 9. Can I add rice instead of pasta?
Yes—cook rice separately and add when serving to avoid mushiness. 10. What’s the best bread to serve with this soup?
Crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, or focaccia pair beautifully. 🏁 Conclusion This Creamy Parmesan Pasta Soup with Italian Sausage is the definition of cozy comfort food. With savory sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy Parmesan broth, it’s hearty enough for dinner yet simple enough for busy weeknights. It’s versatile, customizable, and guaranteed to please the whole family. Pair it with bread or a crisp salad, and you’ve got a complete meal in under an hour. Make it once, and it just might become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
