Hearty Sausage Soup Recipe

Hearty Sausage Soup Recipe: A Comforting Bowl of Goodness

Hearty and packed with robust flavors, this sausage soup recipe brings comfort to your dinner table in just minutes.

Savory Italian sausage mingles with tender vegetables, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

Robust seasonings dance through each spoonful, promising warmth and depth.

Perfectly balanced ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a rustic charm that beckons hungry diners.

The soup simmers with aromatic herbs and chunky vegetables that add incredible texture.

Ladled into warm bowls, this soup delivers a wholesome experience that feels like a culinary hug.

You’ll want to keep this recipe close for chilly evenings and hungry crowds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 422 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Hearty Sausage Soup

For Fat and Flavor:
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds rich, smooth base with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats for sautéing ingredients.
  • Italian Sausage: Provides deep, robust meat flavor and protein with spicy kick, choose fresh ground sausage for best taste.
For Aromatic Base:
  • White Onion: Builds foundational sweetness and depth, select firm onions without soft spots or blemishes.
  • Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent undertones that enhance overall soup complexity, fresh cloves deliver superior flavor.
For Liquid and Creaminess:
  • Chicken Broth: Creates savory foundation and adds moisture, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and rich mouthfeel, use full-fat version for maximum indulgence.
  • Cream Cheese: Introduces tangy smoothness and helps thicken soup, room temperature cheese blends more easily.
For Seasoning and Enhancement:
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates deep tomato essence and provides natural thickness, opt for high-quality brands.
  • Petite Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and chunky texture, no-salt-added varieties work well.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs for authentic Mediterranean profile, ensure blend is fresh and fragrant.
  • Kosher Salt: Balances and amplifies overall flavor, sprinkle gradually while tasting.
  • Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and aromatic complexity.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty finish, freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly.

Equipment That Helps Sausage Soup Simmer Just Right

  • Large pan: Essential for sautéing onions, garlic, and sausage.
  • Spatula: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings and salt.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for mixing and stirring soup components.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Used for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.
  • Ladle: Helpful for serving the finished soup.

Making Sausage Soup with Bold, Cozy Flavor

  • Flavor Foundation

Start by warming olive oil in a spacious pan. Gently sauté onions until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet aroma. Add garlic and let it dance in the pan for a quick moment, creating a rich base of flavor.

  • Sausage Transformation

Introduce the Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it into delectable crumbles. Cook until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown and loses its raw pink color, ensuring a robust and hearty texture.

  • Liquid Magic

Pour in a medley of tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings. Stir in chicken broth and cream cheese, creating a velvety landscape of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

  • Creamy Finale

Softly fold in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, watching the soup transform into a luxurious, silky masterpiece. Let the ingredients mingle and marry their flavors during a gentle simmer.

  • Finishing Touch

Sprinkle fresh parsley and an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese over the top. The soup is now ready to warm hearts and fill bellies with pure comfort and deliciousness.

Sausage Soup Tweaks for More Comfort

  • Ladle this hearty soup into deep bowls while steaming hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
  • Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based sausage for different protein options that keep the recipe's rich taste profile.
  • Let cream cheese sit at room temperature before adding to help it melt smoothly without creating lumps in the soup.
  • Boost heat by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for those who love extra kick, adjusting to personal preference and heat tolerance.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, noting the soup might thicken when chilled – simply add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to restore original consistency.

How to Serve Sausage Soup in Cozy Fashion

  • Comforting Bread Pairing: Serve with warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic toast to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add a delightful crunch to each spoonful.
  • Hearty Salad Companion: Prepare a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a fresh, zesty contrast to the meal.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top or add a side of cheese crostini for an indulgent touch that enhances the soup's creamy texture and savory flavors.
  • Wine Celebration: Pair with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the Italian sausage and create a restaurant-worthy dining experience at home.

Keeping Leftover Sausage Soup Delicious

  • Refrigeration Rockstar: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freezer-Friendly Solution: Freeze soup portions in sealed containers or freezer bags for convenient future meals. Remove cream-based ingredients before freezing to prevent separation and maintain smooth texture.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency if soup thickens during storage.
  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double recipe and divide into individual servings. These ready-to-go meals make busy weeknights easier and reduce daily cooking stress.
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Hearty Sausage Soup Recipe

Hearty Sausage Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty Italian sausage soup combines robust flavors from Mediterranean ingredients with comforting winter warmth. Simmering vegetables and sausage create a nourishing meal that welcomes you to savor each spoonful of rustic comfort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • ½ white onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp (5 g) Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 g) fresh cracked black pepper
  • ½ cup (113 g) cream cheese
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Flavor Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing onions until they become translucent and softened, releasing their subtle sweetness.
  2. Aromatic Enhancement: Add minced garlic and quickly sauté, allowing its pungent essence to permeate the cooking environment without burning.
  3. Protein Transformation: Introduce Italian sausage, breaking it down with a wooden spatula, browning thoroughly until the meat develops a rich, caramelized exterior and loses its raw appearance.
  4. Liquid Symphony: Combine tomato paste, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, cream cheese, and chicken broth, whisking the ingredients into a harmonious, robust liquid base.
  5. Creamy Elevation: Carefully incorporate heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently to create a luxurious, smooth texture that binds all flavors together.
  6. Final Refinement: Reduce heat and let the soup simmer gently, partially covered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heat distribution, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
  7. Presentation: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley and an additional Parmesan cheese sprinkle, serving immediately while hot and aromatic.

Notes

  • Sauté Secrets: Caramelize onions and garlic slowly to unlock deep, rich flavor profiles without burning.
  • Meat Mastery: Break sausage into small, uniform crumbles for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Cream Control: Add heavy cream and Parmesan gradually while stirring to prevent separation and achieve a silky, smooth consistency.
  • Seasoning Strategy: Balance Italian herbs and spices carefully to enhance the sausage’s natural robust taste without overwhelming the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 422
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 756 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 113 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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