Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a hearty one-pot meal with pasta, Parmesan, and a rich, flavorful broth. There are some soups that are light and simple, and then there are the ones that can easily become dinner all on their own.
I’ve made this soup many times with spinach, but today I made it with kale from our garden. Both are delicious. The kale holds its texture a little more than spinach, while spinach wilts quickly into the creamy broth. It is a great recipe to keep in mind when you have a generous harvest of leafy greens.
It takes just about 10 minutes to get everything started, and the whole pot is ready in around 40 minutes. It’s easy to make a generous batch for the whole family.
Why We Love This Soup
- It is a complete meal. The sausage provides plenty of flavor and protein, while the pasta and spinach make the soup hearty and satisfying.
- It comes together in one pot. There is no need to cook the pasta separately, which makes cleanup easier.
- It is flexible. Use ground Italian sausage or slice Italian sausage links into bite-sized pieces. You can also use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- It is easy to customize. Add more spinach, use a different pasta shape, or adjust the amount of Parmesan to suit your family’s taste.
- It is especially comforting on a chilly day. A warm bowl of creamy soup is an easy way to turn a simple evening meal into something everyone looks forward to.
A Hearty Soup for a Busy Family
I like recipes that don’t require a lot of separate steps. With this soup, the sausage and onion cook together in the soup kettle, then the broth and dry pasta go right in.
As the pasta cooks, it absorbs some of the flavorful broth. Once the noodles are tender, the spinach is added and allowed to wilt right in the pot. The cream and Parmesan go in at the end, giving the soup its creamy texture without making it overly complicated.
I especially like using baby spinach because there is no need to spend time chopping it or removing tough stems. Just add it to the pot and let it wilt.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup with Spinach or Kale
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Italian Sausage or links cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 1 Large Onion diced
- 10 Cups Chicken Broth
- 8 Ounces Rigatoni Pasta dried – not cooked or other hearty pasta
- 20 Ounces Spinach or kale cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 Pint Heavy Cream can use half and half if you prefer
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
How to Make Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
- Brown the sausage and onion. Add the Italian sausage and diced onion to a large soup kettle or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the sausage as it cooks if using ground sausage. Continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the sausage is cooked through and beginning to brown. Drain the excess fat.2 Pounds Ground Italian Sausage, 1 Large Onion
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the uncooked rigatoni. Stir to combine.10 Cups Chicken Broth, 8 Ounces Rigatoni Pasta
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat as needed to maintain a steady simmer. Cook until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking together or settling on the bottom of the kettle.
- Add the spinach or chopped kale to the soup. Cover the kettle and let it cook for a few minutes, until the greens are wilted and tender. Remove the cover and stir to distribute the greens throughout the soup.20 Ounces Spinach
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream ad Parmesan cheese until incorporated in the broth.1 Pint Heavy Cream , 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- Serve. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Add additional Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
Helpful Tips
Drain excess sausage fat. Depending on the sausage you use, there may be quite a bit of fat after browning. Drain off the excess before adding the chicken broth. Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook the rigatoni just until al dente. It will continue cooking slightly in the hot soup. Add the cream at the end. Turn off the heat before stirring in the cream for the best texture. Use freshly shredded Parmesan when possible. It melts nicely into the hot soup and adds plenty of savory flavor. Adjust the consistency when reheating. The pasta will continue absorbing the broth as the soup sits, so leftovers may become quite thick. Add a little chicken broth, milk, or half-and-half when reheating to loosen the soup and bring it back to your preferred consistency. If it has become especially thick, you may need to add a little more liquid than you expect.Nutrition
Variations for Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
There are plenty of ways to change up this soup depending on what you have in the pantry, refrigerator, or garden.
- Change the pasta. Rigatoni works especially well because it holds up nicely in soup, but you can use other hearty pasta shapes such as penne, rotini, shells, bow ties, or even tortellini.
- Use spinach or kale. Baby spinach wilts quickly and blends into the soup, while kale adds a little more texture and holds up well. This is a great recipe for using fresh garden kale when you have an abundance.
- Ground sausage or links. Use ground Italian sausage for convenience, or cut Italian sausage links into bite-sized pieces for a slightly different texture.
- Mild or hot Italian sausage. Mild sausage keeps the soup family-friendly, while hot Italian sausage adds more heat and seasoning.
- Add some extra heat. If you like your soup spicy but only have mild sausage, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Red pepper flakes are another easy option.
- Try different cheeses. Parmesan is our go-to, but Romano or Asiago would also be delicious. A little shredded mozzarella on top would give it a nice melty finish.
- Change the toppings. We usually sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over each bowl, but you could also add freshly cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, extra shredded cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add more vegetables. Sliced mushrooms, diced carrots, celery, or zucchini can be cooked along with the onion and sausage for an even heartier soup.
- Make it extra creamy. Heavy cream gives the richest result, but half-and-half works well for a lighter version. For an even creamier soup, add a little extra Parmesan at the end.
What to Serve with Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but there are plenty of simple sides that pair nicely with the creamy broth and savory Italian sausage.
Bread is always a good choice. Garlic bread, crusty French bread, homemade sourdough, dinner rolls, or a warm slice of homemade bread are all delicious for soaking up the creamy broth.
If you want something with a little crunch, try crackers, oyster crackers, toasted bread slices, or even corn chips. The corn chips are an unexpected option, but the salty crunch is really good with the creamy soup.
For something fresh, a simple green salad, cucumber salad, sliced tomatoes, or a small vegetable tray can balance the richness of the soup without making the meal feel too heavy.
You could also serve the soup with roasted vegetables, steamed green beans, or a simple fruit salad. For a casual family dinner, though, I usually keep it easy with a loaf of bread or a handful of crackers alongside a big bowl of soup.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. The pasta will absorb some of the broth while refrigerated, so add a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to bring the soup back to your preferred consistency.
Can You Freeze Creamy Italian Sausage Soup?
You can freeze this soup, although the texture of the cream and pasta may change slightly after thawing. For the best texture, freeze portions before adding the cream and Parmesan if you know you are making the soup specifically for the freezer.
If freezing the finished soup, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Leave a little room for expansion, then thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This is the kind of recipe I like having in my collection because it is hearty, easy to prepare, and makes enough to feed a crowd. With savory Italian sausage, tender rigatoni, plenty of spinach, and a creamy Parmesan broth, it has everything you need for a satisfying bowl of soup.
And since everything comes together in one kettle, it is a practical meal for those days when you want something homemade without spending the whole evening in the kitchen.
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