Velvety Parmesan Pasta Soup Recipe

Heartwarming Parmesan Pasta Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Slurping up comfort in a bowl starts with this creamy parmesan pasta soup that warms every corner of your heart.

Cold evenings call for something special and deeply satisfying.

This hearty recipe blends rich, cheesy flavors with tender pasta in a silky broth that hugs your taste buds.

Savory parmesan creates depth and complexity most soups only dream about.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Each spoonful promises warmth, nostalgia, and pure culinary bliss.

Dive into this soul-soothing recipe and let deliciousness take center stage.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s Inside Parmesan Pasta Soup

For Base and Flavor:
  • Butter: Builds rich, creamy foundation with smooth depth and creates delicate aromatic base for soup.
  • Garlic: Delivers intense, zesty punch and deepens overall flavor profile with its pungent warmth.
  • Vegetable Broth: Provides liquid backbone and carries subtle vegetable undertones for gentle taste.
For Texture and Body:
  • Ditalini Pasta: Adds delightful chewy texture and transforms soup from liquid to hearty comfort meal.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty complexity and creates velvety, luxurious mouthfeel with its nutty essence.
For Garnish and Finishing:
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, herbaceous freshness and adds vibrant green visual appeal.
  • Black Pepper: Contributes subtle heat and enhances overall flavor complexity.
  • Extra Parmesan Cheese: Provides additional tangy richness and allows personalized flavor boost.

Tools to Make Parmesan Pasta Soup Creamy

  • Large Pot: Essential for cooking the entire soup, with enough space to combine all ingredients comfortably.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking without scratching the pot.
  • Cheese Grater: Needed to finely grate fresh Parmesan cheese for melting and garnishing.
  • Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure butter, broth, and cheese quantities.
  • Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup evenly into individual bowls.
  • Sharp Knife: Used for chopping fresh parsley and preparing garlic.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping herbs and garlic.

Cooking Parmesan Pasta Soup for Cozys

  • Butter Beginnings

Start by warming a pot over medium heat, letting butter transform into a golden, bubbling pool of deliciousness.

  • Garlic Magic

Drop fragrant garlic into the melted butter, swirling it around until the kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma.

  • Broth Symphony

Pour vegetable broth into the pot, watching it come to a gentle, rolling boil that promises warmth and comfort.

  • Pasta Dance

Sprinkle in small pasta shapes, letting them swim and soften in the simmering liquid until perfectly tender.

  • Cheese Finale

Shower the soup with fresh Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into silky threads that bind the entire dish together.

  • Serving Sunshine

Ladle the creamy soup into waiting bowls, crowning each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a whisper of black pepper.

Flavor Tweaks for Parmesan Pasta Soup

  • Roast the garlic briefly before adding to enhance its nutty, caramelized depth and create a more complex taste profile.
  • Experiment with different small pasta shapes like orzo, stelline, or small shells to add visual interest and unique mouthfeel to the soup.
  • Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy pancetta bits, or white beans to transform this simple soup into a more substantial meal.
  • Swirl in a splash of heavy cream or blend in softened cream cheese for a richer, more luxurious soup texture that adds extra comfort.
  • Toss in diced zucchini, spinach leaves, or frozen peas during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to increase nutritional value and add vibrant color to the dish.

How to Serve Parmesan Pasta Soup Comfortably

  • Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm, rustic Italian bread or baguette to dip into the creamy, cheesy soup. The crusty texture perfectly complements the soft pasta and rich broth.
  • Top with Crispy Croutons: Sprinkle homemade or store-bought garlic croutons on top for an extra crunch and added flavor dimension. These golden-brown bites bring a delightful textural contrast to the smooth soup.
  • Create a Cozy Meal: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the Parmesan pasta soup. This combination makes for a satisfying and comforting meal that's perfect for chilly evenings.

Tips to Store Parmesan Pasta Soup Smoothly

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate pasta from broth if possible to prevent soggy noodles.
  • Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat Carefully: Warm soup slowly on the stovetop, adding a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain creamy texture.
  • Refresh Before Serving: When reheating, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley to revive flavors and enhance the soup's original deliciousness.
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Velvety Parmesan Pasta Soup Recipe

Velvety Parmesan Pasta Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Delightful parmesan pasta soup merges Italian comfort with creamy richness. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising warmth and satisfaction for home cooks who crave authentic flavors.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 32 oz (946 ml) vegetable broth
  • 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta
  • 4 tbsps (60 ml) butter
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • Extra parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly cracked, to taste
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Sauté Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, releasing its aromatic essence.
  2. Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, creating a robust flavor platform for the soup.
  3. Cook Pasta: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and add ditalini pasta, cooking until it reaches a perfectly tender al dente consistency with a delicate bite.
  4. Cheese Integration: Fold in finely grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and harmonizes with the soup’s texture.
  5. Finalize and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and an optional Parmesan cheese dusting. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt to ensure a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Notes

  • Garlic Sauté Technique: Quickly toast minced garlic in butter to release its rich, nutty aroma without burning, which prevents bitter undertones and creates a flavor-packed base.
  • Pasta Texture Tip: Cook ditalini pasta precisely to al dente stage, watching carefully to prevent overcooking, as soft pasta can turn mushy and compromise the soup’s delightful texture.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Grate Parmesan fresh and add gradually while stirring, allowing it to melt smoothly and distribute evenly throughout the soup for a creamy, consistent flavor.
  • Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust salt levels at the end of cooking, as Parmesan cheese already contains saltiness, preventing an overly salty final dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 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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