A cozy, creamy Sausage Pasta Soup packed with Italian sausage, tender pasta, kale, and sun-dried tomatoes. This comforting one-pot recipe is perfect for weeknights or chilly evenings, delivering all the rich flavors of a pasta dinner in a soul-warming soup.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Pasta Soup
This Sausage Pasta Soup is everything you love about creamy pasta and hearty soup in one comforting bowl. It’s simple to make, uses everyday ingredients, and fills your kitchen with irresistible aroma. The Italian sausage adds deep flavor while the sun-dried tomatoes bring a sweet, tangy balance. Plus, it reheats beautifully for quick lunches or next-day dinners. You can even swap the kale for spinach or use any small pasta you like for endless variation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need olive oil, ground Italian sausage, salt, and pepper to start. Add butter, diced onions, carrots, and garlic for that rich, savory base. Flour thickens the broth, while chicken stock keeps it light and flavorful. Mini bowtie pasta adds a fun, chewy texture. Heavy cream makes it silky, kale brings color and nutrients, and sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of tang. Parmesan cheese melts in for creaminess. Serve with crusty bread and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a finishing touch.
How to Make Sausage Pasta Soup
Brown the Sausage
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot. Add ground Italian sausage with salt and pepper, cooking until browned and fragrant. Remove it and leave a bit of the grease for extra flavor.
Sauté the Vegetables
Reduce the heat slightly and melt butter. Add onions, carrots, and garlic, stirring until soft and golden. Sprinkle in flour and stir well to create a thick, flavorful base.
Build the Broth
Slowly whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth to form a smooth roux, then gradually pour in the rest while scraping up the brown bits from the pot. This step gives your soup deep flavor and a silky texture. Bring to a gentle boil.
Cook the Pasta
Add the mini bowtie pasta directly into the broth. Let it simmer until the pasta is nearly tender, absorbing the savory flavor of the soup.
Add the Creamy Finish
Turn the heat down low. Stir in heavy cream, chopped kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese in small batches. Mix until smooth and creamy. Return the sausage to the pot and stir everything together.
Serve and Enjoy
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes, and enjoy it hot with buttered bread. Each serving has about 754 calories and is rich in protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Recipe Tips and Variations
For the best texture, use quality sausage and refrigerated grated Parmesan cheese—it melts perfectly without clumping. If you prefer a lighter soup, substitute spinach for kale. To thin it, add more broth or cream when reheating since the pasta absorbs liquid over time. You can even make it ahead by stopping before adding the cream and greens, then finish cooking just before serving. Mini pasta like ditalini or shells works just as well as bowties.
What to Serve With Sausage Pasta Soup
Pair this creamy soup with crusty garlic bread or a fresh green salad for balance. It also goes wonderfully with grilled cheese sandwiches. A drizzle of balsamic glaze over your salad adds brightness to contrast the soup’s richness.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store the soup and pasta separately to keep the noodles from becoming mushy. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to four days or freeze for three months. When ready to enjoy, reheat gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to bring back the creamy texture. For make-ahead prep, cook up to the pasta stage, then cool and store. Add cream, kale, and Parmesan right before serving for the best flavor.
FAQs About Sausage Pasta Soup
What goes well with sausage pasta?
Garlic bread, salads, and roasted vegetables pair perfectly with sausage pasta dishes.
What is the most delicious soup in the world?
That’s subjective, but many say creamy soups like this Sausage Pasta Soup or the Cajun Potato Soup Recipe – Creamy & Spicy top the list.
What is Polish sausage soup called?
It’s often called “kapuśniak” or “zurek,” both hearty and flavorful traditional soups.
What’s the best sausage for soup?
Italian sausage—either mild or hot—adds the best flavor balance for creamy soups like this one.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- The Best White Bean Soup Recipe
- Creamy Leek and Chicken Soup Recipe
- Vegetable Soup – Easy, Healthy Comfort
- Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup
- Chicken Bacon Rice Soup – Creamy Recipe
Conclusion
This Sausage Pasta Soup is the definition of cozy comfort. It’s creamy, hearty, and filled with layers of flavor from sausage, kale, and sun-dried tomatoes. You can whip it up in one pot and serve it for an easy weeknight meal or a warm family dinner. Try it once, and it’ll quickly become your new favorite soup for any season. For more recipes like this, visit Pinterest for inspiration and meal ideas.
Sausage Pasta Soup
Equipment
- Large pot For cooking the soup
- Wooden spoon For stirring ingredients
- Ladle For serving the soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups diced yellow onion (about 1 large)
- 2 cups diced carrots (4–5 carrots)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp flour
- 7 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 cups mini bowtie pasta
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 ½ cups finely chopped kale
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil with herbs)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (refrigerated, sandy texture)
- optional: red pepper flakes and buttered bread for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add sausage, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, then remove the sausage and leave a little grease for flavor.
- Lower the heat, melt butter, and add onions, carrots, and garlic. Sauté until tender, then sprinkle in flour and stir well to form a thick base.
- Whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth to make a smooth roux, then slowly add the remaining broth while scraping the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the pasta and cook until nearly tender, about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Lower heat and add cream, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan in small portions. Stir until smooth and melted, then return sausage to the pot.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with buttered bread and red pepper flakes if desired.
