Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup

Warm up with a hearty and flavorful bowl of Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup—a comforting one-pot meal perfect for cozy nights or family dinners. Packed with savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and nutrient-rich spinach, this soup is brimming with bold flavors and satisfying textures. Aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery are sautéed to perfection, then simmered in a rich tomato broth elevated with dried Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Quick and easy to prepare in just 50 minutes, this soul-soothing recipe is ideal for busy weeknights and serves as a complete meal when paired with crusty bread. Don’t forget the finishing touch: a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for that irresistible Italian touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 medium carrot (peeled and diced)
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini, elbow, or small shells)
• 4 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Add the browned sausage back to the pot along with the dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Stir in the small pasta and cook uncovered according to the pasta package instructions (usually 7-10 minutes), until tender.

Step 9

Add the chopped spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 10

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, provide crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3828.4 grams (3828.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2857

Total Fat 159.60g	205%
Saturated Fat 61.70g	309%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 415mg	138%
Sodium 12675mg	551%
Total Carbohydrate 183.00g	67%
Dietary Fiber 34.50g	123%
Total Sugars 54.30g
Protein 175.50g	351%

Vitamin D 48IU	238%
Calcium 2122mg	163%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 6728mg	143%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.0%

Protein: 24.5%

Carbs: 25.5%