Hearty Italian Sausage Soup Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Bowl

Chilly evenings call for a comforting bowl of hearty italian sausage soup that warms you from the inside out.

Packed with robust flavors and wholesome ingredients, this soup delivers a symphony of tastes in every spoonful.

Tender sausage mingles with fresh vegetables, creating a rich and satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance through the broth, promising a delightful dining experience.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to build depth and complexity.

The soup comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Grab a ladle and prepare to savor every delicious bite of this soul-warming classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Italian Sausage Soup

• Italian Sausage: Provides rich, hearty flavor and meaty texture; choose fresh, high-quality sausage for best taste.
• Beans: Adds protein and creamy texture; opt for canned or pre-cooked beans for convenience.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Creates flavor foundation with classic mirepoix base; select firm, fresh vegetables.
• Garlic: Boosts overall depth and aroma; use fresh cloves for most intense flavor.
• Zucchini: Brings subtle sweetness and extra nutrition; pick firm, bright green zucchini.
• Spinach or Kale: Adds vibrant color and nutritional boost; choose fresh, crisp greens.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provides tangy base and liquid; select no-salt-added version for better control.
• Broth: Creates soup's liquid foundation; low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth works best.
• Herbs (Oregano, Basil): Delivers authentic Italian taste profile; use dried or fresh herbs.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat; adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Bay Leaf: Enhances overall complexity; remove before serving.
• Salt and Pepper: Balances and elevates other flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients smoothly.

Tools To Make Italian Sausage Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking and simmering the entire soup, providing ample space for ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking apart sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and zucchini.
• Sharp Chef's Knife: Crucial for precise and quick vegetable preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add herbs, spices, and seasonings.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup evenly into bowls.
• Cheese Grater: Used for creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.

How To Cook Italian Sausage Soup

• Brown the Sausage

Grab a big pot and crank up the heat to medium-high. Toss in the Italian sausage and break it apart while cooking until it turns a delicious golden brown. If things look greasy, drain some of the excess fat but keep a little for extra flavor.

• Unleash the Veggie Magic

Dump chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the pot. Let them dance around and soften for a few minutes. Sprinkle in garlic and herbs, stirring until the kitchen fills with an incredible aroma.

• Build the Flavor Foundation

Pour in diced tomatoes and broth with a splash of excitement. Add some seasonings and beans, then bring everything to a gentle bubble. Let the soup simmer and mingle its flavors for about 20 minutes.

• Final Touches

Introduce pasta and zucchini to the party, letting them cook until perfectly tender. Toss in some leafy greens and watch them wilt into the soup. Give everything a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

• Serve and Celebrate

Fish out the bay leaf and ladle the soup into waiting bowls. Crown each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh herbs. Grab some crusty bread and get ready to dive in!

Tips To Add Extra Spice To Italian Sausage Soup

• Sausage Selection Secrets: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your heat preference, or mix half mild and half spicy for balanced flavor complexity.
• Texture Transformation Trick: For a thicker soup, mash some beans against the pot's side or add a tablespoon of tomato paste during sautéing vegetables to enhance richness.
• Low-Carb Friendly Swap: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a keto-friendly version that maintains the soup's delicious Italian character.
• Meal Prep Mastermind: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving space for expansion, and reheat gently to preserve vegetable textures.
• Protein Power Move: For vegetarian friends, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage or add extra beans like cannellini and chickpeas to boost protein content without compromising taste.

Serving Suggestions For Italian Sausage Soup

• Cozy Bread Pairing: Slice a rustic ciabatta or sourdough bread, lightly toast, and brush with garlic-infused olive oil for a delightful dipping companion to the hearty soup.
• Cheese Lover's Topping: Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese over each bowl, allowing it to melt slightly and add a rich, salty dimension to the soup.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Chop a mix of fresh basil, parsley, and oregano leaves to garnish the soup, bringing a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the overall flavor profile and adds a pop of color.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Serve alongside a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complements the robust flavors of the Italian sausage and adds a sophisticated touch to the meal.

How To Keep Italian Sausage Soup Tasty And Warm

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your Italian sausage soup delicious and fresh!
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Batches: Freeze soup without pasta for maximum quality. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight and reheat, adding fresh pasta during warming to prevent mushiness. Freezer storage lasts 2-3 months.
• Reheating Rescue Tactics: Warm soup gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add splash of broth if needed to restore original consistency. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Portion Power: Divide soup into individual serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness and avoid food waste.

Hearty Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian sausage soup delivers robust flavors from Tuscany’s countryside, blending rustic ingredients with comfort. Spicy sausage, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with crusty bread and warm memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (450 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 6 cups chicken or beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz or 425 grams) white beans or chickpeas (drained and rinsed, optional for protein boost)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (chopped)
• 1 can (14.5 oz or 411 grams) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 1 zucchini (diced, optional for extra veggies)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or small shells) (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)
• Fresh parsley or basil (chopped, for garnish)
• Crusty Italian bread (for dipping, optional but delicious!)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sausage Preparation: Deeply brown Italian sausage in a large pot, methodically crumbling meat while developing rich caramelization. Strategically drain excess fat, maintaining a thin layer for robust flavor enhancement.
2. Vegetable Infusion: Incorporate aromatic vegetables into sausage foundation, gently sautéing onions, carrots, and celery until translucent. Rapidly introduce garlic and dried herbs, allowing their intense essences to bloom and permeate the mixture.
3. Liquid Transformation: Pour diced tomatoes and hearty broth into the pot, integrating beans and seasoning with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and allow ingredients to meld through a gentle, deliberate simmer that harmonizes complex flavor profiles.
4. Texture Development: Add pasta and zucchini, carefully monitoring cooking process to achieve ideal tenderness. Delicately fold leafy greens into the simmering soup, watching them gracefully wilt and contribute vibrant nutritional elements.
5. Final Presentation: Discard bay leaf and ladle steaming soup into warm bowls. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan and aromatic herbs. Serve alongside crusty Italian bread for a complete, soul-warming dining experience.

Notes

• Select Quality Sausage: Choose fresh, high-quality Italian sausage with balanced fat content for deeper, richer flavor profile.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust broth quantity during simmering to achieve desired soup thickness, preventing overly watery or dense textures.
• Manage Pasta Cooking: Add pasta late in cooking process to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture, absorbing soup’s robust flavors without becoming mushy.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting gluten-free pasta, using plant-based sausage alternatives, or removing meat for vegetarian version while preserving essential flavor foundations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg