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I'm so excited to share my favorite Italian sausage soup recipe with you today. This gem from my kitchen brings together the most amazing flavors tender pasta swimming in a rich broth with fire roasted tomatoes and Italian sausage. Every time I make it, my whole house smells like an Italian grandmother's kitchen.
You Need This Soup in Your Life
Let me tell you why this soup holds a special place in my heart. It's one of those magical recipes that feels light but fills you up. The Italian sausage adds such incredible flavor and those fire roasted tomatoes? Pure gold. I love making this on busy weeknights when I need something quick but don't want to compromise on taste.
What You'll Need From Your Kitchen
- Italian sausage: 1 pound, I prefer mild but spicy works too if that's your thing
- Onion: 1 medium, grab a sweet Vidalia if you can find one
- Garlic: 4 cloves, don't skimp here
- Crushed tomatoes: 1 can fire roasted these make all the difference
- Beef broth: 6 cups, this creates our gorgeous base
- Red bell pepper: 1, adds the perfect touch of sweetness
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon, my favorite blend of herbs
- Oregano: ½ teaspoon, fresh or dried both work beautifully
- Red pepper flakes: ¼ teaspoon, totally optional but I love the warmth
- Pasta: 1½ cups rotini or fusilli, they catch all the good stuff
- Fresh basil: ¼ cup, this brightens everything up
- Salt and pepper: You know the drill
- Parmesan: Fresh grated for serving because why not?
Let's Make Some Soup
- Get That Base Going
- Grab your favorite soup pot and cook the sausage with onions until everything's golden and your kitchen smells amazing. If there's too much fat just spoon some out.
- Time for Garlic
- Toss in your minced garlic and let it work its magic for about 30 seconds.
- The Good Stuff
- Now pour in those fire roasted tomatoes beef broth bell pepper and all your seasonings. Let it come to a gentle boil.
- Pasta Party
- Add your pasta and let it simmer away stirring now and then until it's perfectly al dente about 10 minutes.
- Final Touch
- Throw in that fresh basil taste for salt and pepper and you're done. I always add a generous shower of parmesan on top.
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Make It Your Own
My family loves this recipe as is but feel free to play around. Sometimes I throw in different pasta shapes or add a splash of cream at the end. When I'm feeling virtuous I toss in handfuls of spinach. Want it spicier? Go for hot Italian sausage it's fantastic.
Perfect Side Kicks
Nothing beats dunking crusty bread in this soup. I usually warm up a loaf and serve it with good olive oil. When I'm feeling fancy I'll whip up a quick Caesar salad on the side. Pure comfort food heaven.
Keeping It Fresh
This soup is amazing the next day maybe even better. Just remember the pasta loves to drink up the broth so I usually add an extra splash when reheating. Want to freeze some? Leave out the pasta and add it fresh when you're ready to eat.
My Top Tips
Take your time browning that sausage it's where all the flavor starts. Trust me on the fire roasted tomatoes they make such a difference. And don't skip that fresh basil at the end it ties everything together beautifully.
Kitchen Must Haves
I love making this in my Dutch oven it keeps the heat so steady. A sharp knife makes quick work of the veggies and I can't live without my garlic press for recipes like this. Oh and get yourself a good ladle you'll be reaching for seconds.
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Pure Comfort in a Bowl
This soup never fails to bring smiles to my table. It's become my go to when friends pop over or when we need something cozy after a long day. Simple honest food that just makes you feel good.
The Star of the Show
Italian sausage does something magical to this soup. Its rich flavor seeps into every spoonful making the whole pot taste like it's been simmering all day even though it comes together so quickly.
All About That Pasta
I'm partial to those curly shapes like rotini and fusilli because they trap all the good stuff in their spirals. But honestly any short pasta works beautifully here. Use what you have in your pantry.
Load Up Those Veggies
Sometimes I raid my crisper drawer and toss in whatever needs using up. Zucchini mushrooms bell peppers they all work beautifully here. It's a great way to sneak in extra vegetables especially for picky eaters.
Plan Ahead Winner
This is my secret weapon for busy weeks. Make a big batch on Sunday and you've got the coziest meals ready to go. The flavors actually get better as it sits making it perfect for meal prep.
Freezer Friendly Tips
I always keep a batch in my freezer for soup emergencies. Just remember to leave out the pasta and add it fresh when you're reheating. The soup keeps beautifully for three months and tastes just as good as day one.
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Spice It Your Way
My family likes it with a little kick but you can totally control the heat. Go for hot Italian sausage if you're feeling brave or keep it mild and skip the red pepper flakes for a gentler version.
Make It Creamy
Want to make it extra indulgent? Sometimes I stir in a splash of heavy cream right at the end. It makes the soup so silky and rich. Pure comfort food magic.
What to Serve With It
We love this with warm garlic knots or a chunk of crusty focaccia. On summer evenings I'll throw together a quick caprese salad on the side. Simple fresh perfect.
Getting the Flavor Just Right
If your tomatoes are a bit too tangy just add a tiny pinch of sugar it works wonders. Always taste and adjust your seasonings at the end that's when the magic happens.
For My Gluten Free Friends
No need to miss out on this one. Just swap in your favorite gluten free pasta or even some cooked rice. Just double check your sausage and broth are gluten free too and you're all set.
Making It Pretty
A little fresh basil on top some good olive oil and maybe a shower of parmesan makes this soup look as good as it tastes. We eat with our eyes first right?
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Year Round Favorite
This soup works in every season. It's cozy in winter but I lighten it up in summer with extra fresh vegetables. It's one of those recipes that just works any time of year.
Feeding a Crowd
Need to feed more people? This recipe doubles beautifully. I often make a big batch when I'm having friends over. Everyone always asks for seconds.
Fresh Herbs Make It Special
Fresh basil really makes this soup sing. If you've got other herbs growing in your garden toss those in too. Fresh oregano and parsley are wonderful here.
One Pot Wonder
The best part? Everything happens in one pot. Less cleaning means more time enjoying your meal. Plus all those flavors build on each other as you cook.
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Kid Friendly Version
Got little ones? This soup is easy to adapt. I usually chop the veggies extra small and go easy on the spice. Serve it with some cheesy garlic bread and watch it disappear.
Tomato Talk
Fire roasted canned tomatoes are my go to but in summer I love using fresh garden tomatoes. Just roast them first to bring out their sweetness it makes all the difference.
Building Those Flavors
Don't rush the first step when you're browning the sausage and onions. That golden color means flavor and it sets the foundation for the whole pot of soup.
Perfect for Any Day
From casual weeknight dinners to cozy gatherings this soup fits right in. It's my back pocket recipe when I want something that's both impressive and effortless.
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Simple But Special
This soup proves that you don't need fancy ingredients to make something extraordinary. Just good honest ingredients and a little love that's all it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Should I cook pasta separately?
- Cook pasta separately if planning leftovers to prevent it from absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy.
- → What type of sausage works best?
- Any Italian sausage works well - sweet or hot. You can use either ground sausage or remove meat from casings.
- → Why use fire-roasted tomatoes?
- Fire-roasted tomatoes add a deeper, slightly smoky flavor to the soup. Regular crushed tomatoes work too but won't have the same depth.
- → Can I freeze this soup?
- Yes, but freeze without pasta. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating to maintain better texture.