Sausage Pasta Soup | Ultimate Creamy Comfort Recipe

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A pot of this sausage pasta soup turns any gray day into something warm and good. The creamy broth wraps around tender pasta, kale, and bits of spicy Italian sausage, filling the kitchen with the kind of aroma that makes everyone drift closer to the stove. It’s simple, cozy, and perfect for slow evenings when you need comfort in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Pasta Soup

This soup has everything you want on a chilly day — rich broth, creamy texture, and hearty bites in every spoonful. You can make it with mild or spicy sausage, so it suits any mood. It’s full of color from carrots and kale, plus a lovely depth from sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. Families love it because it’s filling and flexible. Serve it with crusty bread or a light salad, and dinner feels complete.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups finely diced yellow onion
  • 2 cups finely diced carrots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons white flour
  • 7.5 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups mini bowtie pasta (or small shells, ditalini, or elbows)
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 2.5 cups finely chopped kale (or spinach)
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil with herbs
  • 1/2 cup grated refrigerated Parmesan cheese

Use fresh, high-quality sausage for the best flavor. If your sausage has casings, remove them before cooking. Choose good chicken broth — homemade or low-sodium boxed — for depth. Always use refrigerated Parmesan, which melts better than shelf-stable versions.

How To Make Sausage Pasta Soup

Step 1 – Brown the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add sausage, salt, and pepper. Let it sear until it gets crispy edges, then break it into small pieces. Cook until browned and remove from the pot, leaving about 1 tablespoon of grease behind.

Step 2 – Sauté the Vegetables

Lower the heat to medium. Add butter, onions, carrots, and garlic. Stir often until the veggies soften and smell sweet, about 7–9 minutes.

Step 3 – Build the Broth and Cook the Pasta

Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Slowly whisk in one cup of broth to form a smooth slurry, then add the rest of the broth while stirring. Bring to a gentle boil. Add the pasta and cook until almost done, just tender.

Ladle lifting creamy sausage pasta soup with kale and carrots

Step 4 – Add Cream, Greens, and Cheese

Reduce to a simmer. Stir in the cream, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the soup turns creamy. Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Adjust seasoning and, if needed, add more broth for the right consistency.

Step 5 – Serve and Enjoy

Serve hot with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. It’s especially good with garlic knots or a side of creamy broccoli cheddar soup on a cold night.

Expert Tips for the Best Flavor

  • Brown the sausage well for deep, savory flavor.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for perfect melting.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta; it will soften more in the hot broth.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
  • For a lighter version, swap half the cream with milk.

What To Serve With Sausage Pasta Soup

Pair it with crusty Italian bread, garlic knots, or a crisp green salad. You could also serve it with grilled cheese or a simple fruit plate for balance. If you like hearty meals, it pairs beautifully with deep hamburger sausage pepperoni pie.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

For the best texture, store pasta and soup separately. Keep soup in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up. If you want to make it ahead, stop before adding the cream and cheese, and store the pasta separately until ready to serve.

Sausage Pasta Soup Notes

Choose mild sausage for a softer flavor or hot for extra kick. Any small pasta shape that cooks quickly works well. Kale adds a pleasant bite, but spinach makes a milder alternative. Add crushed red pepper flakes for spice or a few sun-dried tomatoes for tang. If you love creamy, rich soups, try my marry me chicken soup recipe next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sausage pasta a thing?

Yes! It’s a beloved comfort dish combining sausage and pasta in creamy or tomato-based sauces — or in this case, a hearty soup.

What pasta is in soup?

Small shapes like bowties, shells, or ditalini work best. They cook quickly and hold up in broth.

What is Polish sausage soup called?

It’s often called kielbasa soup, a traditional Eastern European dish featuring smoked sausage and potatoes.

What’s the best sausage for soup?

Italian sausage, mild or spicy, gives the best balance of flavor and fat. Turkey or chicken sausage also work if you prefer leaner meat.

How to cook a sausage soup?

Brown the sausage first, then build layers of flavor by adding veggies, broth, and pasta. Finish with cream and cheese for a rich texture.

Which sausage is best for pasta?

Italian sausage with fennel and herbs adds the most flavor. Hot versions bring a nice heat that balances the creamy broth.

More Such Recipes

Creamy sausage pasta soup with kale and sun-dried tomatoes in a rustic bowl

Conclusion

This creamy sausage pasta soup brings comfort to the table every single time. It’s rich yet balanced, hearty but easy to make. Whether you cook it for a family dinner or a quiet weekend lunch, it always delivers warmth and satisfaction. Try it once, and it might just become your new go-to cozy meal. For more kitchen inspiration, follow along on Pinterest or visit our Facebook page.

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Creamy sausage pasta soup with kale and sun-dried tomatoes in a rustic bowl

Sausage Pasta Soup | Ultimate Creamy Comfort Recipe


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  • Author: kai
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A creamy, hearty sausage pasta soup with tender kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan in a rich broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or chilly nights.


Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cups finely diced yellow onion

2 cups finely diced carrots

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons white flour

7.5 cups chicken broth

2 cups mini bowtie pasta (or similar small pasta)

1.5 cups heavy cream

2.5 packed cups finely chopped kale (or substitute spinach)

1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil with herbs

1/2 packed cup grated refrigerated Parmesan cheese


Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over high heat. Add sausage, salt, and pepper. Sear briefly on all sides, then break it up and cook until browned. Remove sausage, reserving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot.

2. Lower heat to medium. Add butter, onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 7–9 minutes.

3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of broth to form a slurry, then gradually add the rest of the broth while stirring.

4. Bring to a boil, add pasta, and cook until just shy of done.

5. Lower heat to simmer, add cream, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan gradually while stirring until melted.

6. Return sausage to the pot. Adjust salt and add more broth if needed for consistency.

7. Serve hot with extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes.

Notes

Use small pasta that cooks in 6–8 minutes.

Refrigerated Parmesan melts better than shelf-stable versions.

Add red pepper flakes for heat.

Store soup and pasta separately to avoid mushiness.

Reheat gently with extra broth or cream if thickened.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Soup Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 754
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 1940mg
  • Fat: 56g
  • Saturated Fat: 26g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 148mg

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