Description
This hearty Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is a comforting meal that warms the soul. Packed with robust flavors and textures, it’s a complete dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- Beef Italian Sausage
- Ditalini Pasta
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Beef Broth
- Balsamic Vinegar or Beef Broth (for deglazing)
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Fresh Spinach or Kale
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Basil
- Bay Leaf
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the sausage thoroughly until no pink remains, usually about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the sausage drippings. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil. Cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in a splash of balsamic vinegar or a quarter cup of beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and the remaining beef broth. Add the bay leaf. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup back to a rolling boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 7-9 minutes, or until al dente.
- Once the pasta is cooked, return the cooked beef Italian sausage to the pot. Stir in the fresh spinach or kale and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the greens have wilted.
- Remove the bay leaf. Stir in a generous handful (about half a cup) of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it's melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt and black pepper as needed.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Don't overcook the pasta; it should be al dente. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor. Adjust the consistency with more broth if needed.