Okay, guys, let’s talk soup! There’s something just *magical* about a really good bowl of soup, right? Especially when it’s chilly outside, or you’ve just had a long day, or honestly, just because you feel like wrapping yourself in a warm hug. And let me tell you, this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup? It’s basically a hug in a bowl.
Seriously, this recipe is one of my absolute go-tos. It’s packed with flavor, super easy to throw together, and it feels like proper comfort food without taking hours in the kitchen. We’re talking simple ingredients that come together in under an hour for something truly special. Trust me, once you make this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup, it’s going to be on repeat in your house!
Why You’ll Love This Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Okay, so why *this* soup? Why this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup over all the others out there? Because it just hits different! Here’s the lowdown on why I keep coming back to it:
- It’s FAST: Seriously, you can have a big pot of this bubbling away in less than an hour. Perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Flavor Explosion: The Italian sausage brings so much savory goodness, and with the tomatoes and garlic? Chef’s kiss!
- Pure Comfort: It’s hearty, warm, and just feels like home. That little bit of pasta makes it extra cozy.
- Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here, just everyday stuff you probably already have.
It’s basically everything you want in a soup, all wrapped up in one delicious package.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Alright, let’s get down to business! The beauty of this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup is how simple the ingredient list is. You don’t need anything wild here, just good, honest food. So, here’s what you’ll want to have ready on your counter:
- A whole pound of Italian sausage. You can go mild if you like, or if you’re feeling a little feisty, grab the spicy kind! It’s totally up to you.
- One onion, chopped up nice and easy.
- A couple of cloves of garlic, minced. Don’t skip the garlic, it’s essential!
- A 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
- Four cups of chicken broth.
- One cup of ditalini pasta. Those tiny tubes are just perfect in this soup!
- About two cups of fresh spinach, roughly chopped. It wilts down to nothing, so don’t be shy.
- And of course, some salt and pepper to taste.
See? Simple stuff! Now, let’s get cooking!
Equipment Needed for Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Good news! You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup. Just a few basics will do the trick. You’ll definitely want a nice, **large pot**. I usually grab my trusty Dutch oven because it holds heat so well, but any big pot will work just fine. That’s really it! Maybe a spoon for stirring, obviously, but you knew that!
Crafting Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup: Step-by-Step Guide
Okay, now for the fun part – actually making this delicious Cozy Italian Sausage Soup! It’s super straightforward, so don’t stress. We’re just going to build layers of flavor to get that perfect, comforting bowl. Follow these steps, and you’ll be slurping up goodness in no time.
Browning the Italian Sausage
First things first, let’s get that sausage going. Pop your large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Crumble the Italian sausage right into the pot. You want to cook it, breaking it up with your spoon as you go, until it’s nice and browned all over. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s cooked through, carefully drain off any excess fat. You don’t need all that grease sloshing around!
Building Flavor for Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Now that the sausage is browned, it’s time to really build the flavor base for your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup. Toss the chopped onion into the pot with the sausage. Cook them together, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften and turn a little translucent – about 5 minutes. Next, add that minced garlic. Oh, the smell! Cook for just about 30 seconds until you can really smell it, but be careful not to burn it. Then, pour in the can of diced tomatoes (undrained!) and the chicken broth. Give it a good stir and bring the whole pot to a nice boil.
Adding Pasta and Finishing the Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Once your soup is boiling, it’s time for the pasta! Add that cup of ditalini right in. Let it cook according to the package directions. Ditalini is usually pretty quick, maybe 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get mushy! Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the chopped spinach. It will wilt down really fast, just a minute or two. Finally, taste your soup and season it with salt and pepper. Start with a little, then add more if you need it. And there you have it! Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup is ready to go!
Tips for Perfecting Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Making this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup is already pretty simple, but a few little tricks can take it from great to absolutely *amazing*. Trust me on these!
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: This is key! Ditalini cooks fast, and nobody wants soggy soup pasta. Cook it just until it’s al dente, which means it still has a tiny bit of chew. It will keep cooking slightly in the hot soup.
- Season as You Go: Don’t just dump salt and pepper in at the end. Taste after you add the broth, then again after the spinach. You might need more salt depending on your broth and sausage.
- Amp Up the Flavor: If you want an extra layer of deliciousness, a little pinch of dried Italian herbs or a bay leaf while it simmers can make a difference. Just remember to take the bay leaf out!
- A Little Heat? If you used mild sausage but want a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic is fantastic.
These small things really make the soup shine!
Variations for Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
One of the best things about a simple, delicious soup like this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup is how easy it is to make it your own! If you want to bulk it up or just add some extra goodness, feel free to toss in more veggies. Chopped carrots or sliced zucchini are fantastic additions. Just add them in when you’re cooking the onion and garlic so they have time to soften up. It’s a great way to use up whatever you have in the fridge!
Serving Suggestions for Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
Okay, your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup is piping hot and smelling absolutely incredible. How to enjoy this bowl of goodness? My absolute favorite way is with some seriously good crusty bread. Something you can tear off and dunk into the broth to soak up all those amazing flavors. A warm, crusty baguette or a rustic loaf is just perfect. Grab a big spoon and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
I get asked a few questions about this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup pretty often, so I thought I’d put them all in one place! Hopefully, this helps you out if you’re wondering about tweaking things.
Q: Can I use a different kind of sausage?
A: Absolutely! While Italian sausage gives it that classic flavor, you could totally try a different pork sausage or even a chicken or turkey sausage if you prefer. Just make sure it’s a type that crumbles well when you brown it.
Q: What if I don’t have ditalini pasta?
A: No worries! Any small pasta shape will work in this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup. Elbow macaroni, small shells, or even orzo would be great substitutes. Just cook it according to the package directions.
Q: How can I make this soup spicier?
A: Easy peasy! If you used mild Italian sausage, you can add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes when you cook the garlic. You could also use spicy Italian sausage from the start, which is my favorite way to get that heat!
Q: Can I add other vegetables?
A: Yes, please do! Carrots, celery, zucchini, or even some chopped bell peppers would be delicious additions. Just add them in with the onion and garlic.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so if you’re keeping an eye on things, here’s a general idea of the nutritional breakdown for a serving of this Cozy Italian Sausage Soup. Now, keep in mind this is just an *estimate*! It can totally change depending on the exact sausage you use, the brand of broth, and all that good stuff. But it gives you a ballpark figure for calories, fat, protein, and carbs per serving.
Enjoy Your Cozy Italian Sausage Soup
And just like that, you’ve got a big pot of delicious, comforting Cozy Italian Sausage Soup ready to devour! I really hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you make it, please come back and leave a comment and let me know what you thought! And if you snap a pic, I’d absolutely love to see it – tag me on social media!
Print
Cozy Italian Sausage Soup: 1 Incredible Bowl
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A comforting Italian sausage soup perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat. Drain fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the pot. Cook until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Add ditalini pasta. Cook according to package directions.
- Stir in spinach. Cook until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- You can use spicy or mild Italian sausage.
- Add other vegetables like carrots or zucchini.
- Serve with crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Italian sausage, soup, cozy, comfort food, pasta, spinach