Description
Hearty Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending robust flavors from classic Italian ingredients. Warm spices and rich textures invite you to savor each spoonful of this satisfying, soul-warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Transform the pot or Dutch oven into a flavorful canvas by heating olive oil over medium flame, introducing italian sausage and fragmenting it into delicate morsels. Sizzle until golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes, then relocate the meat to a temporary holding area.
- Utilize the same culinary vessel to awaken diced onions, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Caramelize these aromatic vegetables until onions become translucent and ingredients soften, roughly 5 minutes.
- Cascade chicken broth into the pot, sprinkling dried oregano and basil. Whisk these elements together, encouraging the mixture to reach a gentle, rolling simmer.
- Introduce ditalini pasta directly into the bubbling liquid, allowing it to dance and cook until achieving perfect al dente texture. Periodically stir to prevent potential sticking, monitoring cooking time around 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce thermal intensity to medium-low, welcoming heavy cream and grated parmesan. Gently fold these ingredients, permitting them to meld and create a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Reunite the previously cooked sausage with the soup, followed by fresh spinach leaves. Allow the greens to wilt gracefully while integrating all components. Calibrate flavor profile with strategic salt and pepper seasoning.
- Artfully ladle the steaming soup into serving vessels, optionally adorning with fresh parsley. Complement this robust dish with crusty bread, creating an inviting dining experience.
Notes
- Choose lean Italian sausage or turkey sausage for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Prep vegetables in advance to streamline cooking process and ensure consistent, smaller chopping for even cooking and better texture distribution.
- Consider swapping heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version without compromising creamy consistency of the soup.
- Vegetarian modification works perfectly by replacing sausage with plant-based protein crumbles or extra firm tofu seasoned with Italian herbs for similar taste experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg