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To make this tasty Parmesan Ditalini Soup with Sausage, you'll need a few simple ingredients. Here’s the complete list: - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 medium onion, diced - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1 carrot, diced - 1 celery stalk, diced - 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice) - 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium) - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes - 1 cup ditalini pasta - 2 cups kale, chopped - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese - Fresh parsley for garnish You can also add crusty bread to enjoy with your soup. This meal is warm and filling, making it perfect for any day. The cheese and sausage add great flavors and make it a real comfort dish. Enjoy cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Sautéing vegetables: Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook it for about 5 minutes until soft. Next, stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until everything smells good. 2. Cooking sausage: Now it’s time to add 1 pound of Italian sausage. You can choose mild or spicy, depending on your taste. Break the sausage apart with a spoon. Cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes until it is browned and fully cooked. 3. Adding broth and tomatoes: Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Then, add 1 can of diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring this mixture to a boil. 4. Cooking ditalini pasta: When it starts boiling, add 1 cup of ditalini pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente. 1. Adding kale, herbs, and seasoning: After the pasta is ready, stir in 2 cups of chopped kale along with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of thyme, and some salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an extra 2 to 3 minutes until the kale wilts. 2. Incorporating Parmesan cheese: Remove the pot from heat and add ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well until the cheese melts and mixes into the soup. 3. Recommended preparation techniques: Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. For serving, ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. It pairs well with crusty bread for a complete meal. Enjoy this comforting dish! Sautéing your vegetables is key. Start with the onion and cook it until soft. This step builds a strong base for flavor. Then, add garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook these for a few minutes to release their scents. Timing matters when adding ingredients. Add the Italian sausage after the veggies. Cook it until it's brown and fully done. Then, pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. This adds depth to your soup. Adjust your seasoning as you go. After adding the kale, taste your soup. If it needs salt or pepper, add a little at a time. This ensures balanced flavors throughout. Presentation makes a difference. Serve the soup in warm bowls. Top each bowl with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. This adds color and flavor. Pair your soup with crusty bread. A side salad works well, too. Both options complement the hearty soup nicely. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of this dish! Pro Tips Choose Your Sausage Wisely: Depending on your spice preference, opt for mild or spicy Italian sausage to tailor the flavor profile of your soup. Add Fresh Herbs: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme right before serving instead of dried ones. Perfect Pasta Cooking: To prevent the ditalini from becoming mushy, slightly undercook it in the soup and let it finish cooking off the heat. Garnish for Flavor: Don’t skip the fresh parsley and extra Parmesan on top; they add a vibrant touch and enhance the overall taste. {{image_2}} You can easily change the protein in this soup. If you want a lighter option, use turkey sausage. For a vegan twist, try plant-based sausage. Both options keep the dish tasty and satisfying. You can also switch up the pasta. Ditalini gives a nice bite, but other small pasta works too. Try elbow macaroni or orzo. If you want to add more greens, swap out kale for spinach or Swiss chard. They will add color and nutrition. Adding spices can boost the soup's flavor. Try a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. A little smoked paprika adds depth. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can bring brightness. Add these when you stir in the kale. You can also mix in other vegetables. Zucchini or bell peppers add sweetness and texture. Just chop them small and add them when you cook the onions. This keeps everything cooked evenly. After enjoying your Parmesan ditalini soup, store any leftovers in proper containers. Use airtight containers to keep the soup fresh. If you have a lot left, you can use freezer-safe bags or containers. Store the soup in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it. In the freezer, it can last up to three months. Just remember to label the containers with the date. When it's time to eat your leftovers, you can reheat the soup in a few ways. The best method is on the stove. Pour the soup into a pot and heat it over medium heat. Stir it often to keep it from sticking. You can also use the microwave. Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it loosely, and heat in short bursts. Stir it between intervals to heat evenly. To keep the soup's texture and flavor, avoid boiling it. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth if it looks too thick. Enjoy your comforting soup just like the first time! Can I make this soup in advance? Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time. It tastes even better the next day. Just store it in the fridge. Reheat before serving, and it will be warm and tasty. What can I use instead of ditalini pasta? If you don't have ditalini, use small shells or elbow macaroni. These shapes work well and hold the soup's flavors nicely. How to adjust the spice level? To change the spice level, choose mild or spicy sausage. You can also add red pepper flakes for heat. Start small, then taste and add more if needed. Caloric breakdown per serving Each serving of this soup has about 350 calories. This number may change based on the sausage and cheese used. Health benefits of key ingredients - Kale: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Great for your immune system. - Italian sausage: Provides protein and iron, which are important for energy. - Parmesan cheese: Adds flavor and calcium, which is good for bones. This soup gives you a hearty meal packed with nutrients. This blog post covers a delicious soup recipe, from ingredients to storage tips. You learned how to sauté veggies, cook sausage, and enhance flavors. I shared good practices for serving and gave ideas for variations. Remember, you can adjust the recipe to fit your needs. This soup is more than a meal; it's a way to enjoy cooking. With these tips, you'll create something tasty and satisfying. Dive in and enjoy your culinary adventure!

Parmesan Ditalini Delight Soup

A hearty and flavorful soup featuring ditalini pasta, Italian sausage, and kale, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup ditalini pasta
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • for garnish fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in the minced garlic, carrot, and celery; cook for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes (with their juice). Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  • Stir in the chopped kale, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the kale is wilted.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the soup.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Notes

Ladle the soup into bowls, and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top. Serve with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.
Keyword Italian, kale, Parmesan, pasta, soup