Hearty Italian Sausage Soup with Pasta: An Easy, Flavorful One-Pot Meal
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to chase away the chill, and this Italian sausage soup is a true star of the season. This easy, homemade recipe is brimming with savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and an abundance of fresh vegetables, all simmered in a rich, robust tomato-based broth infused with aromatic garlic and classic Italian herbs. It’s the kind of soul-satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table, perfect for cozy evenings and effortless entertaining.
As soon as the weather cools, soup becomes a staple in our household. While we enjoy many favorites like avgolemono soup, this Italian sausage soup recipe has quickly risen to the top of our list. Its vibrant flavors and comforting textures make it an instant classic you’ll want to make again and again. Imagine succulent, seasoned ground Italian sausage mingling with sweet carrots, crisp celery, and pungent garlic, all swimming in a delicious, savory broth. The smoky depth of fire-roasted tomatoes combined with fragrant herbs creates an unforgettable flavor profile that perfectly complements the tender pasta. This Italian sausage soup with pasta is not only incredibly flavorful but also surprisingly quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a last-minute weeknight dinner or a delightful weekend meal.
Why This Italian Sausage Soup Will Be Your New Favorite
This isn’t just any soup; it’s a culinary experience packed with reasons to love it:
- Effortless One-Pot Wonder: Forget about complicated cooking methods! While I appreciate the convenience of appliances like crockpot tortellini soup and Instant Pot chicken wild rice soup, this Italian sausage soup truly shines as a simple stovetop creation. You won’t need any specialized equipment – just one large pot to bring this comforting meal to life. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
- Layers of Irresistible Flavor: Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of savory goodness. Each spoonful of this Italian sausage soup delivers a harmonious blend of juicy, perfectly seasoned Italian sausage, the aromatic foundation of sautéed vegetables (mirepoix), the rich tang of tomatoes, and a generous medley of fragrant herbs. The broth itself is a masterpiece, offering a depth of flavor that is both hearty and incredibly satisfying. The addition of tender pasta ensures every bowl is substantial and filling.
- A Leftover Lover’s Dream: This soup is fantastic for meal prepping! Make a generous double batch, and you’ll be set for delicious future meals. It stores beautifully and reheats wonderfully, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. The key to perfect leftovers? Simply add the pasta when you’re ready to serve, ensuring it remains al dente and never mushy.
Essential Ingredients for Your Italian Sausage Soup
Crafting this hearty Italian sausage soup requires a few simple yet powerful ingredients that come together to create a truly spectacular meal. Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll need, along with some helpful notes. For the complete list of ingredients, precise measurements, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down on this page.
- Italian Sausage: The star of the show! You can opt for either mild Italian sausage for a gentler flavor or hot Italian sausage if you prefer a little kick. If your sausage comes in casings, remember to remove them before cooking. Ground pork sausage or turkey sausage can also be excellent alternatives if Italian sausage isn’t available, though you might want to adjust seasonings.
- Onion, Carrots, and Celery (Mirepoix): This classic aromatic trio forms the flavor backbone of countless dishes, from this comforting sausage soup to a rich Bolognese. Diced finely, these vegetables sauté to create a sweet, savory foundation that deepens the overall taste of the broth.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for that unmistakable pungent and savory aroma that truly elevates the soup.
- Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth or stock is recommended, allowing you to control the saltiness of the soup. Vegetable stock is also a fantastic alternative for a lighter base.
- Tomato Sauce: A can of good quality tomato sauce provides a smooth, rich tomato flavor and contributes to the beautiful color of the broth. Canned crushed tomatoes can be used in its place for a slightly chunkier texture.
- Diced Tomatoes: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a wonderful smoky depth that regular diced tomatoes don’t quite achieve, making them a personal favorite for this recipe. However, regular canned diced tomatoes or even fresh, ripe diced tomatoes can be used.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs (typically oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram) is crucial for imparting that authentic Italian flavor. You can use a high-quality store-bought blend or easily make your own homemade Italian seasoning for an even fresher taste.
- Pasta: Small, dry pasta shapes are ideal for soup as they cook quickly and are easy to eat. Think small shells, orzo, ditalini, or elbow macaroni. They add a lovely texture and heartiness to each spoonful.
- Fresh Parsley: A garnish of fresh chopped parsley (or basil) brightens the soup with a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous aroma just before serving.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and balancing all the robust flavors.
Can I Use Another Protein in My Italian Sausage Soup?
Absolutely! While Italian sausage provides a unique and robust flavor, you can certainly adapt this soup recipe to use other ground meats. Ground pork sausage (not Italian-seasoned), ground turkey sausage, or lean ground beef would all work well. Keep in mind that unseasoned ground meats will have a milder flavor profile, so you might want to compensate by adding an extra teaspoon (or more, to taste) of Italian seasoning, along with a pinch of red pepper flakes for warmth if desired. This flexibility makes the recipe incredibly versatile to suit your pantry and preferences.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Easy Italian Sausage Soup
Creating this delicious Italian sausage soup is a straightforward process, perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Below, you’ll find a quick visual guide, and for the full, detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Brown the Sausage: Begin by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue to cook until the sausage is fully browned and no longer pink. This step is crucial for developing deep flavor. Once cooked, drain most of the excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. This flavorful fat will be used to sauté the vegetables, adding another layer of taste to your soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics: To the same pot with the reserved sausage drippings, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery (your mirepoix). Sauté these vegetables for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become fragrant. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until it becomes aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Add the Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables to become more tender.
- Add the Pasta: After the soup has simmered for 10 minutes, it’s time to add the pasta. You have two excellent options here: you can either add the uncooked pasta directly into the simmering soup, allowing it to cook in the flavorful broth, or you can boil the pasta separately according to package directions and stir it into the soup just before serving. Cooking pasta directly in the soup means it will absorb more flavor, but it can also become softer if you plan on having leftovers (see tips below).
- Finish and Serve: Continue cooking until the pasta is tender to your liking (ideally al dente). Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, your hearty Italian sausage soup is ready! Stir in the fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Ladle generous portions into bowls and, for an extra touch of deliciousness, top with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Explore more easy serving suggestions below to complete your meal.
Expert Tips for the Best Italian Sausage Soup
While this hearty Italian sausage soup recipe is quite simple to follow, a few key techniques can elevate your results from good to absolutely fantastic. These are some of my favorite tips, gathered from countless batches of soup-making:
- Achieve a Deeply Flavored Sausage: When browning the Italian sausage, resist the urge to constantly stir it. Instead, spread the ground meat into an even layer in the hot pot and allow it to sizzle and brown undisturbed for a few minutes before breaking it up further. This crucial step creates a beautiful crust and develops rich, complex flavors that will infuse throughout your entire soup.
- Perfectly Cooked Pasta is Key: Whether you choose to simmer your pasta directly in the soup or boil it in a separate pot, the goal is to achieve an al dente texture. This means the pasta should be firm to the bite, not mushy. Keep a close eye on it during cooking, as small pasta shapes cook quickly. Overcooked pasta can absorb too much liquid, becoming soft and potentially making your soup overly thick.
- Strategize for Delicious Leftovers: If you anticipate having leftover soup (which is highly likely, as it’s so good!), I highly recommend cooking the pasta separately. Pasta that sits in the soup broth will continue to absorb liquid, resulting in a softer, less desirable texture upon reheating. By storing the cooked pasta and soup separately and combining them only when ready to eat, you ensure perfect texture every time.
- Don’t Skip the Mirepoix: The combination of onion, carrots, and celery forms the aromatic base known as mirepoix. Sautéing these vegetables until they’re softened and fragrant before adding liquids is fundamental to building the soup’s deep, savory flavor. Take your time with this step!
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or a pinch of extra Italian seasoning to perfectly balance the flavors to your preference.
Delicious Variations for Your Italian Sausage Soup
One of the best things about soup recipes is their incredible versatility, allowing you to easily customize them to suit your taste, pantry, or dietary needs. This Italian sausage soup is no exception! Here are some creative and easy ways to adapt this recipe:
- Spice It Up: If you love a little heat, there are several ways to make your soup spicier. Start by using hot Italian sausage. For an extra kick, stir in a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning. You can also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce when serving.
- Make It Creamy: For a luxurious, creamy Italian sausage soup, stir in a ¼ cup of heavy cream, half-and-half, or even a splash of milk after the soup has finished cooking and is off the heat. The residual warmth will gently heat the cream without curdling.
- Experiment with Pasta Shapes: Don’t limit yourself to just one type of pasta! Any small-cut pasta will work beautifully. Try elbow macaroni, orzo, rotini, or even mini farfalle (bow ties). For a delightful twist, consider adding fresh or frozen tortellini for a more substantial and indulgent soup.
- Boost Your Greens: Enhance the nutritional value and freshness of your soup by stirring in some leafy greens. Fresh kale or spinach are excellent choices. Add them towards the very end of the cooking time, allowing them to wilt into the hot soup for just a few minutes before serving.
- Add Some Beans for Extra Heartiness: For an even more filling and protein-rich soup, incorporate a can of cannellini beans (white kidney beans). Remember to drain and rinse them thoroughly before adding them to the soup during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
- More Vegetable Power: This soup is a fantastic vehicle for extra vegetables. Diced potatoes (red potatoes or baby potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces, are best for soups) can be added along with the carrots and celery. Other great additions include chopped zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or small florets of broccoli, added during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
- Low-Carb Option: If you’re looking to reduce the carbohydrate content, simply replace the pasta with cauliflower rice. Add it during the last 5-7 minutes of simmering, or until tender, to avoid it becoming too mushy.
- Vegetarian Version: To transform this into a vegetarian soup, omit the Italian sausage entirely. Replace it with plant-based meatless mince, crumbled firm tofu (pressed and crumbled), or an extra can of beans or lentils. You’ll likely need to add additional seasoning to build flavor, such as extra Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, or a dash of soy sauce/tamari for umami.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With Italian Sausage Soup
A steaming bowl of hearty Italian sausage soup is a meal in itself, but pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate your dining experience even further. Here are some fantastic suggestions to complete your cozy meal:
- Crusty Bread and Rolls: There’s nothing quite like dunking fresh bread into a flavorful soup. Serve your Italian sausage soup with fluffy dinner rolls, savory parmesan garlic knots, or a rustic loaf of crusty Italian bread. For an extra special touch, start with easy rosemary focaccia and bread dipping oil.
- Fresh Salads: To balance the richness of the soup, a light and refreshing salad is an excellent choice. A simple tossed salad with a vinaigrette or a vibrant tomato mozzarella salad with fresh basil and a balsamic glaze would be perfect.
- Heartier Sides: If you’re looking for something more substantial to accompany your soup, creamy polenta offers a wonderful textural contrast and absorbs the soup’s broth beautifully. Try this creamy polenta recipe. For an additional vegetable side, simple grilled zucchini or roasted asparagus would be delicious.
- Cheesy Additions: Don’t forget the cheese! A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a classic topping for this soup, adding a salty, umami kick. Other Italian cheeses like Pecorino Romano or even a dollop of ricotta can also be delicious.
Can I Make This Italian Sausage Soup in Advance?
Yes, absolutely! This Italian sausage soup is a fantastic candidate for make-ahead meals, which can be a real time-saver on busy days. However, there’s a crucial tip to keep in mind, especially if you plan on having leftovers or preparing the soup a day or two before serving: cook the pasta separately.
Pasta, when left to sit in soup broth, will continue to absorb liquid over time, becoming soft and mushy. This can also cause the soup to thicken considerably. To ensure your pasta maintains its ideal al dente texture, prepare the soup base as directed in the recipe card, stopping before adding the pasta. Cook the pasta separately according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and, for best results, toss it lightly with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Store the finished soup base and the cooked pasta in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the soup base and add the cooked pasta just before serving. This method guarantees perfectly textured pasta every time, even with leftovers!
Storing and Reheating Your Italian Sausage Soup
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy the delicious flavors of this Italian sausage soup for days to come. And with our tips for pasta, reheating is a breeze!
- To Store: Any leftover Italian sausage soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 5 days. As mentioned, if the soup contains pasta cooked directly in it, the noodles will continue to soften and absorb more liquid over time. For optimal texture, store soup and pasta separately if possible.
- To Reheat: Reheat individual portions of leftover soup in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s hot throughout. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring halfway through, until heated to your desired temperature. If you stored the pasta separately, add it to the warmed soup just before serving. You may need to add a splash of extra broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
Can I Freeze Italian Sausage Soup?
Yes, Italian sausage soup freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for long-term meal prep! For the best results when freezing, I strongly recommend doing so before adding the pasta. The texture of cooked pasta can become a bit mushy or fall apart after freezing and thawing in a liquid.
To freeze the soup: Prepare the soup base (everything except the pasta) as directed in the recipe. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to leave some headspace if using containers, as liquids expand when frozen. Store the soup airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy: Defrost the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat it gently on the stovetop until simmering. Then, cook fresh pasta separately according to package directions and add it to the hot soup just before serving. Alternatively, you can also cook and freeze the pasta separately (toss it with olive oil beforehand to prevent sticking), then thaw it and add it to the warmed soup.
More Hearty & Easy Soup Recipes to Enjoy
If you’ve fallen in love with this Italian sausage soup, you’re in for a treat! Here are more of our favorite easy soup recipes that are perfect for any season, offering comfort and flavor in every bowl:
- Classic Ham and Split Pea Soup
- Hearty Turkey Wild Rice Soup
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
- Comforting Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Delicious Lasagna Soup
Italian Sausage Soup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage, I like hot/spicy sausage for the most flavor
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 15 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cup small cut pasta, small shells, orzo, ditalini
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
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In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink and is fully browned. Carefully remove the cooked sausage from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the rendered grease behind.1 pound Italian Sausage
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To the same pot, add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 small onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs, 4 cloves garlic
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Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and add the Italian seasoning. Stir everything well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 15 oz can tomato sauce, 15 oz can fire roasted tomatoes, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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Option 1 (for immediate serving):
After the soup has simmered for 10 minutes, add the small cut pasta directly to the pot. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
1 ½ cup small cut pasta, salt & pepper to taste -
Option 2 (for meal prep/leftovers): Cook the pasta separately according to its package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside. Once the soup base has simmered for 10 minutes, proceed to the next step, adding the cooked pasta to individual bowls just before serving.
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When the soup is ready, stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately in bowls, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Information
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