If you are searching for a bowl of comfort with a burst of flavor, look no further than the Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe. This hearty soup brings together the savory richness of Italian beef sausage, the tender bite of ditalini pasta, and a luscious Parmesan cheese finish that melts into every spoonful. It’s the perfect dish for cozy dinners or when you need a warm hug in a bowl. The melody of fresh vegetables, herbs, and carefully layered ingredients transforms this simple soup into an unforgettable meal that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering fresh, quality ingredients gives this soup its incredible depth and vibrant colors. Each component plays a vital role in balancing flavor, texture, and visual appeal—making this recipe a wonderfully approachable yet satisfying kitchen adventure.
- Beef Italian Sausage: Provides a rich, spicy flavor and hearty protein to form the soup’s savory base.
- Ditalini Pasta: These small tube-shaped noodles soak up delicious broth and add a delightful chew.
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese: Brings a nutty creaminess that melts smoothly into the soup.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with the other vegetables.
- Carrots: For a subtle natural sweetness and a burst of vibrant orange color.
- Celery: Provides an aromatic, slightly peppery crunch to complement the softer ingredients.
- Garlic: Infuses the broth with a warm, fragrant kick that enhances the savory sausage.
- Beef Broth: The rich liquid foundation that ties all flavors together beautifully.
- Balsamic Vinegar or Beef Broth (for deglazing): Adds complexity and helps lift caramelized bits from the pot for extra flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Introduces acidity and a silky texture that balances the richness of the sausage.
- Fresh Spinach or Kale: Offers a fresh green pop of color and nutrition with a gentle earthiness.
- Dried Oregano: Brings subtle herbal notes essential to classic Italian flavor profiles.
- Dried Basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic layer that complements the tomatoes and sausage well.
- Bay Leaf: Imparts warmth and depth during the simmering stage without overwhelming.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a subtle hint of heat to brighten the overall taste.
- Fresh Parsley: Used as a lively garnish that adds freshness and a splash of green.
How to Make Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Browning the Sausage
Begin by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Brown it thoroughly until there is no pink left, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon but leave the rendered fat in the pot because it holds amazing flavor that will deepen your soup as you cook the veggies.
Step 2: Softening the Aromatics
Reduce the heat to medium and toss the chopped onion, carrots, and celery into the pot. Sauté these vegetables in the savory sausage drippings for about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is crucial because it transforms these humble ingredients into a fragrant, tender flavor base that makes every spoonful memorable.
Step 3: Infusing Garlic and Herbs
Next, stir in the minced garlic along with dried oregano and dried basil. Cook everything together for just one minute until the scent of garlic fills the kitchen and the herbs begin to bloom. To build even more flavor, pour in a splash of balsamic vinegar or about a quarter cup of beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up those caramelized brown bits from the bottom—this simple action adds intense depth to your soup.
Step 4: Simmering the Broth
Now pour in the crushed tomatoes and the remainder of your beef broth. Add in a bay leaf and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup cook slowly for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This relaxed simmer allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully and lets the flavors develop their full potential.
Step 5: Cooking the Pasta
Turn the heat back up to medium-high until the soup boils again. It’s time to add the ditalini pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions, generally between 7 and 9 minutes, until the pasta is perfectly al dente. This bite-sized pasta shape is ideal for holding onto the broth with every spoonful.
Step 6: Adding Greens and Sausage Again
Once the pasta is cooked, return the cooked beef Italian sausage to the pot. Stir in your choice of fresh spinach or kale. Let the greens cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted, adding both a beautiful pop of color and a touch of earthiness to the soup.
Step 7: Final Touch with Parmesan
Remove the bay leaf before stirring in a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese—about half a cup. The cheese melts gently into the hot soup, creating an irresistible creaminess. Give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
Step 8: Serving Your Soup
Ladle your hot, simmering soup into bowls, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley if you like. Serve immediately and revel in the cozy, rich flavors of your homemade masterpiece.
How to Serve Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley brightens the warm, hearty soup visually and balances its richness with a fresh herbal note. More Parmesan cheese on top enhances that nutty flavor and adds an inviting creaminess as it melts slowly with the heat.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with rustic crusty bread or garlic breadsticks that you can dunk into the savory broth. A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect contrast, bringing crispness and a little acidity against the soup’s heartiness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe in charming bowls with a mini Parmesan crisp perched on the side for an elegant touch. Alternatively, hollow out a round artisan bread loaf and ladle the soup inside for an edible bowl, perfect for impressing guests or cozy family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. This makes for a quick lunch or dinner that tastes surprisingly great the next day as the flavors have even more time to marry.
Freezing
This soup freezes well if you want to store it longer. Use a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, leaving room for expansion. It will keep nicely for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing the soup with fresh spinach or kale; add those fresh when reheating to keep their vibrant texture.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stove over medium heat until steaming hot. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking. Add fresh spinach or kale during reheating if you froze the soup without greens for the best texture and color.
FAQs
Can I use turkey or chicken sausage instead of beef Italian sausage?
Absolutely! While beef Italian sausage gives this soup its rich traditional flavor, turkey or chicken sausage can be a great lighter alternative. Just pick a flavorful variety to maintain that savory depth.
Is ditalini pasta crucial or can I substitute another shape?
Ditalini is perfect because its small size holds the broth well, but you can substitute with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, small shells, or orzo without losing the spirit of the dish.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, swap the beef sausage for a plant-based sausage substitute or hearty mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The Parmesan cheese remains a great source of richness.
What can I do if the soup is too thick after cooling?
Simply add a bit of beef broth or water while reheating to loosen it up. The pasta absorbs a lot of liquid so adjusting the consistency is common when storing leftovers.
How spicy is this soup with red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth rather than intense heat. You can always adjust the quantity to suit your taste or omit them if you prefer a milder flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
There is something so deeply satisfying about a warm bowl of the Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe. It’s a dish that invites you in and wraps you up with its layers of comforting ingredients and luscious flavors. Whether cooking for family or friends, or simply treating yourself, this soup always feels like a loving homemade hug. So go ahead, whisk up this beautiful soup and let its deliciousness brighten any day.
Print
Delicious Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This hearty Parmesan Beef Sausage Ditalini Soup combines savory Italian sausage with tender ditalini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato-beef broth, finished with vibrant greens and melted Parmesan cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound beef Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Liquids and Broth
- 4 cups beef broth, plus 1/4 cup for deglazing or 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Pasta
- 3/4 cup ditalini pasta
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage with slotted spoon, leaving fat in pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the sausage drippings. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften, stirring occasionally.
- Add Aromatics and Deglaze: Stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil; cook another minute until fragrant. Pour in balsamic vinegar or 1/4 cup beef broth and scrape browned bits off the pot bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Simmer Soup Base: Add crushed tomatoes and remaining 4 cups beef broth to pot. Add bay leaf. Bring to gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a rolling boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook 7-9 minutes until al dente, following package instructions.
- Combine Sausage and Greens: Return cooked sausage to pot. Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook 2-3 minutes until greens wilt.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasonings: Remove bay leaf. Stir in about 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- For a spicier soup, increase red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried, but adjust quantities accordingly (use 1 tablespoon fresh herbs).
- Substitute kale with spinach for a milder green or use a mix of both for varied texture.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
