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Creamy parmesan Italian sausage soup is loaded with tender, juicy sausage, savory ditalini pasta in a creamy flavorful broth. You can make this creamy sausage soup under 30 minutes.

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Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage soup in a pale blue bowl with a spoon

Creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup

A hearty comforting creamy Italian sausage soup is perfect for weeknight meals or cozy dinners. This rich and savory soup contains perfectly cooked ditalini pasta, a well balanced spices and lots of juicy Italian sausage.

You can swap the ditalini pasta with macaroni pasta. If you are on a calorie watch you can omit the heavy whipping cream and add milk (whole, 2% or fat-free). The consistency of the soup will change.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Find the Ingredients with actual measurements at the bottom of the post. The list below is just a reference.

Italian sausage: Spicy or mild ground Italian sausage. You can sub with ground turkey pasta.
Ditalini Pasta: You can sub with macaroni pasta.
Aromatics: Yellow onion and garlic. This will enhance the flavors of the soup.
Veggies: Celery.
Tomatoes: Petite diced tomatoes from the can. Do not discard the juices.
Seasonings: Paprika, Italian seasonings, ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt to taste. If you are heat intolerant skip adding the red pepper flakes.
Dairy: Heavy whipping cream and grated parmesan cheese. If you are on a calorie watch swap the cream with half & half or milk ( whole, 2% or fat-free).
Soy sauce: This will add a touch of savory and umami flavor.
Liquid: Water.
Better than Bouillon chicken base: This will add a lot of umami and extra flavor to this Italian sausage soup with pasta.
Oil: Olive oil.

Creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup

Tips & tricks

Choose quality sausage: Use mild or spicy ground Italian sausage for best flavor. You can also use sausages with casings. In that case remove the casings and crumble the sausage.
Flavor boost: Brown the sausage for depth of flavor. This will make a huge difference to the soup.
Best pasta: Small pasta like ditalini, macaroni or small shells work best in this recipe.
Adjust seasonings: If you are heat intolerant skip adding the red pepper flakes. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for a complex taste.
Adjust the consistency: This ground sausage soup tends to thicken as it rests. This is because the pasta soaks up a lot of liquid. You might have to adjust the consistency while serving or reheating. Just add a splash of cream, milk, water or stock.
Veggie boost: You can add chopped baby kale or baby spinach at the end to give this soup a nutritional boost. Add the greens after turning off the instant pot. Allow the soup to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The residual heat will cook down the greens.

Method

Find the detailed step by step recipe along with measurements + Video at the bottom of the post.

Step #1 Brown sausage

Brown sausage: Add oil to the instant pot's sauté mode set on high heat. Brown the ground Italian sausage. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté for 1 minute.

Step #2 Deglaze pot

Add seasonings: Add seasonings and sauté for 30 seconds.
Deglaze the pot: Add water and deglaze the pot very well by scraping the sides and the bottom of the pot with the help of a spatula. This will help loosen any stuck food particles and prevent the burn error.
Add pasta: Add better than bouillon chicken base, soy sauce and give everything a good mix. Add the ditalini pasta, give everything a quick stir. Add the diced tomatoes from the can, along with the juices. Do not stir.

Step #3 Pressure cook

Pressure cook: Secure the lid of the instant pot and pressure cook on high pressure for 4 minutes followed by a quick pressure release. Cancel the pressure cook mode.
Add dairy: Add heavy whipping cream. Stir to mix well. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese completely blends into the soup. Serve the soup with your favorite toppings.

Serving Ideas

Here are some delicious sides to serve with this creamy Italian sausage pasta soup to your meal complete and nutritious:

Crusty Bread: Sour dough bread, French baguette.
Parmesan Breadsticks: Matches the Parmesan flavors in the soup.
Garlic Bread.
Focaccia: A soft, herby bread that complements the Italian flavors.
Salads: Caesar salad, cabbage slaw, broccoli slaw, coleslaw, caprese salad.
Roasted veggies: smashed brussel sprouts, acorn squash, beets, carrots and potatoes, brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower.
Creamy Polenta: Adds another layer of comfort.

Storage tips

Refrigerator: You can store this soup in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: You can freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers or bags for 3 months. The ditalini pasta will turn soft, and the soup's consistency will change. Dairy-based soups (like this one) may separate or change texture when thawed. Stir well when reheating, and add a splash of cream if needed.

Reheating tips

Stovetop: Heat on low to medium while stirring to prevent curdling.
Microwave: Use short intervals (30-60 seconds), stirring in between until the soup becomes warm or hot.
Frozen Soup: Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for the best consistency.

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Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup