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An extreme close-up shot of creamy Italian sausage soup, showing the rich texture of the broth with pieces of sausage and pasta shells.

Italian Sausage Soup (The Creamiest, Easiest Recipe!)

This one-pot Italian Sausage Soup is incredibly easy, creamy, and packed with savory flavor. A perfect weeknight meal ready in under an hour!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb spicy Italian sausage casings removed if necessary
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion about 1 medium onion
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 6 cups chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1.5 cups small shell pasta uncooked
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups fresh spinach packed
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch Oven or Stockpot
  • 1 Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. In a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Stir in the small shell pasta and cook according to package directions, typically about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the soup to heat through. Do not let it boil.
  6. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

Don't Overcook the Pasta: Pasta will continue to soften in the hot broth. Cook it just until al dente to avoid it becoming mushy.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts much better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
Spice Level: Use hot Italian sausage for a kick, or mild if you prefer less heat. You can always add a pinch of red pepper flakes at the end for customized spice.