I made this soup expecting it to be “pretty good.” It was not. It was spicy, creamy, and immediately promoted itself to repeat status. Hot Italian sausage was the correct decision.
Spicy Creamy Italian Sausage & Spinach Ditalini Soup
Ingredients
Base
- 1.5 lbs hot Italian sausage
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 8 oz ditalini pasta
- 2 bay leaves
Creamy Finish
- 4 oz cream cheese ½ block, cubed
- ¼ cup half & half
Greens
- 2 –3 cups baby spinach add in after soup stops bioling
Seasonings
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Red chili flakes:
- Salt to taste (late)
For Serving
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Brown the sausage
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the sausage thoroughly, breaking it up and letting it develop real color.
Aromatics
- Add shallot and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Build the soup
- Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, garlic salt, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red chili flakes.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
Cook the pasta
- Add ditalini and simmer until just al dente, stirring occasionally.
Make it creamy
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Add half & half and stir to combine.
Finish with heat and greens
- Stir in remaining ¼–½ tsp red chili flakes.
- Turn off heat, add spinach, stir, cover, and let wilt for 1–2 minutes.
Final adjustment
- Remove bay leaves. Taste and add salt only if needed.
Serve
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan and serve immediately.
Video
@jefsmk This spicy Italian sausage & spinach ditalini soup had no business being this good. 🌶️🔥 Creamy, spicy, cozy, dangerous. Would you add pasta… or keep it brothy? 👉 Save this if you’re making soup this week 👉 Comment ‘SPICY’ if you’d crank the heat even more SSoupTokSSpicyFoodCComfortFoodHomeCooking
♬ Aesthetic - BoominBeats