This Italian sausage soup is made with juicy Italian sausage, loads of veggies, plenty of seasoning, and ditalini pasta in a tomato-based broth. A cozy soup for winter weather!

If you love cozy sausage soups, try my sausage potato soup or creamy Tuscan tortellini soup with sausage next.

Bowl of Italian sausage soup with pasta, spinach and vegetables topped with freshly grated Parmesan.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways: Hearty Italian Sausage Soup

  • Easy one-pot dinner: Everything cooks in one pot for a cozy dinner with minimal cleanup.
  • Ready in 30 minutes: Italian sausage, vegetables and ditalini pasta simmer together in a flavorful tomato broth for a quick weeknight meal.
  • Hearty and filling: Sausage and pasta make this one pot soup satisfying enough for dinner, while spinach adds color and freshness.
  • Easy to customize: Use mild or hot Italian sausage and swap the spinach for kale if that’s what you have on hand.

Why I Love This Recipe

There’s nothing more comforting on a cold day than this Italian sausage soup recipe. It comes together easily on the stovetop and delivers so much flavor from the Italian sausage, vegetables, and tomato-based broth. Small pasta noodles and fresh spinach make it hearty and filling.

I love to finish each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan and serve it with crusty bread. My Italian wedding soup, one pot lemon chicken orzo soup, and easy lasagna soup are a few more cozy favorites.

XO - Jamielyn
starstarstarstarstar

“This is my third time making it because my family absolutely loves it!”

Elaine

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Italian sausage soup including sausage, ditalini pasta, spinach, tomatoes, vegetables, broth and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Mild Italian sausage: Ground Italian sausage can be mild or spicy. If you prefer some heat, you can swap it with spicy Italian sausage.
  • Vegetables: Chopped onion, red bell pepper, celery, sliced carrots, and minced garlic.
  • Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. I typically use my homemade Italian seasoning since I usually have it on hand.
  • Italian tomatoes: You can use a can of Italian tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes.
  • Chicken broth and water: The water helps to dilute the broth and add more volume to the soup.
  • Dry ditalini: Uncooked ditalini will be cooked in the soup, keeping it a one pot meal. If you want to add cooked ditalini in after you can do that too. Elbow macaroni noodles are another option as are any small pasta shapes you have in your pantry.
  • Chopped spinach: Dark leafy greens for flavor and nutrients.
  • For serving: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs like parsley, or basil.

How to Make Italian Sausage Soup

Cook the sausage in a large pot over medium heat. Drain any excess grease, but whatever is left in there can be used to sauté the veggies.

Add the onion, celery, red peppers, and carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the garlic and seasoning and cook for another minute.

Italian sausage browning with carrots, celery, onion and red bell pepper in a Dutch oven.
Italian sausage and vegetable soup simmering in tomato broth before adding the spinach.

Stir in the broth, tomatoes, and water, and let the soup come to a simmer. Scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir just to lift up all the flavor from the bottom bits. Turn the heat to medium-high and add in the pasta.

Italian sausage soup with ditalini pasta, sausage and vegetables simmering in a Dutch oven.
Fresh spinach added to Italian sausage soup with ditalini pasta and vegetables.

Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender. Add the spinach, stir, and season to taste. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and your favorite fresh herbs.

Italian sausage soup with ditalini, spinach, carrots, celery and tomatoes in a white Dutch oven.

Tips and Variations

  • Brown the sausage well: Let the sausage get some good color before adding the vegetables. Those browned bits add even more flavor to the broth.
  • Cook the pasta until al dente: Ditalini softens quickly in the hot broth, so avoid overcooking it, especially if you plan on having leftovers.
  • Try a few easy swaps: Use kale instead of spinach, add red pepper flakes for extra heat, or swap the Italian pork sausage for turkey sausage or ground beef.
  • Add beans: Stir in a can of drained cannellini beans for a little extra fiber and heartiness.
  • Use tortellini: Make it even more filling by using tortellini like I do in my sausage tortellini soup.

Italian Sausage Soup FAQs


Can I make Italian sausage soup in the crockpot?

Yes. Brown the sausage first for the best flavor, then add everything except the spinach and pasta to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, then stir in the spinach and cooked pasta during the last 15 minutes.


How long does Italian sausage soup last in the fridge?

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will thicken as it sits, so add a splash of broth when reheating if needed.


Can I freeze Italian sausage soup?

Yes, but freeze it without the pasta so it doesn’t become mushy. Store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and add freshly cooked pasta.


Can I cook the pasta separately?

Absolutely. Cooking the pasta separately is a great option if you expect leftovers because it keeps the pasta from continuing to absorb the broth and becoming too soft.

Italian sausage soup with ditalini pasta, spinach, vegetables and Parmesan in a tomato broth.

More soup recipes to try include zuppa toscana, creamy tomato tortellini soup and chicken gnocchi soup.

More Favorite Soup Recipes

Italian sausage soup in a bowl garnished with Parmesan.

Italian Sausage Soup

4.99 from 58 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
This Italian sausage soup is made with juicy Italian sausage, loads of veggies, plenty of seasoning, and ditalini pasta in a tomato-based broth. A cozy soup for winter weather!
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound mild italian sausage
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper , chopped
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 3-4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 (15-ounce) can Italian tomatoes , or diced
  • 32 ounces chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup dry ditalini , or macaroni noodles
  • 1-2 cups spinach , chopped

For serving: Fresh grated parmesan cheese, parsley or basil

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat. Drain fat and add onion, celery, red pepper and carrots. Cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper. Cook another minute.
  • Stir in broth, tomatoes and water. Bring to a simmer.
  • Turn heat to medium-high and then add in pasta. Cover and stir occasionally. Cook 10 minutes, or until tender. Add in spinach, stir then season to taste.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

To make in crockpot: Add ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours. I recommend cooking the sausage beforehand and adding the pasta during the last half hour. 
Storage: This soup will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for about 3 to 5 days. Whenever I make soups with a tomato base, I like to use a glass container for storing so that it doesn’t stain. Sometimes the soup will thicken up a bit in the fridge, so feel free to add a splash of broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.
Freeze: If you are planning on freezing it, hold off on adding the ditalini. The pasta doesn’t freeze well and will get mushy when reheating. Just freeze the soup in an airtight container without the pasta. When ready to eat, boil some fresh pasta while you reheat your soup. Then combine the two and you’ll have fresh (not soggy!) soup in no time.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 1332mg, Potassium: 667mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 5665IU, Vitamin C: 14.4mg, Calcium: 140mg, Iron: 3.6mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.