This tasty and easy Italian Sausage Soup Recipe is loaded with onions, carrots, celery, zucchini, and a healthy helping of Italian Seasoning in chicken broth with tomatoes, cannellini beans, and elbow noodles. It is the perfect pick-me-up for cold, wet weather, coughs, ailments, or just because your soul needs a little warmth. This Italian Soup Recipe is one of our favorites.
How to make Italian Sausage Soup
Start by browning the Italian sausage in a Dutch Oven or heavy pot over medium heat. When the sausage is about halfway browned, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the zucchini and cook until the onions and celery are soft. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian Seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
Now add the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Bring in all to a low boil. Then stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to a simmer or very low boil and cook the soup until the pasta is tender. Garnish with fresh thyme and shredded Parmesan Cheese.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- If you have a nearby meat market, call and ask if they make their own Italian Sausage. It is well worth the added expense and trip to the market.
- For aesthetic purposes, peel the carrots. It brings out that beautiful bright orange color.
- You can sub any medium to small pasta in this soup, including penne, rotini, shells, farfalle, ditalini, or radiatori.
- Fresh thyme is always delicious, and I usually have it on hand. However, you can substitute fresh chopped parsley or a little dried marjoram or thyme.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Heat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- Freeze in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can I use a different meat?
You can any other kind of ground sausage. You can use bulk pork sausage, breakfast sausage, chicken, or turkey sausage. If you can’t find bulk Italian sausage, then consider buying the links and cutting the sausage out of the casing.
You could also substitute ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. It would still be a delicious soup, although it would not be an Italian Sausage Soup.
Recipe variations
- Vegetables – add spinach, kale, or arugula.
- Broth – substitute beef broth, or vegetable broth, or add a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- Herbs – add Italian herbs like fresh basil, dried marjoram, dried sage, or dried oregano.
- Kick up the spice – use hot Italian sausage, and add a little red pepper flakes or a little bit of ground cayenne.
More soup recipes you will love!
Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian Pork Sausage
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 rib celery chopped
- 1 zucchini quartered and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 14.5 ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup uncooked elbow noodles
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Italian sausage in a Dutch Oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. When the sausage is about halfway browned, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring several times. Add the zucchini and cook until the onions and celery are soft. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian Seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Add the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Bring the soup to a low boil. Stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to a simmer or very low boil and cook the soup until the pasta is tender. Garnish with fresh thyme, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkling of shredded Parmesan Cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- If you have a nearby meat market, call and ask if they make their own Italian Sausage. It is well worth the added expense and trip to the market.
- For aesthetic purposes, peel the carrots. It brings out that beautiful bright orange color.
- You can sub any medium to small pasta in this soup, including penne, rotini, shells, farfalle, ditalini, or radiatori.
- Fresh thyme is always delicious, and I usually have it on hand. However, you can substitute fresh chopped parsley or a little dried marjoram or thyme.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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jen schreiner
This soup looks fantastic. I am looking forward to making it. I know my kids would enjoy this. Especially with the sausage.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jen! I sure hope they enjoy it!!
Melanie Edjourian
This sounds like a wonderful hearty soup for the whole family to enjoy. It is ideal for cooler days or when you just fancy a comfort meal. I know my husband would love to try it!!!
Delray Boxing Club
This was so hearty and yummy! I will make this again!
briannemanzb
This soup was absolutely delicious. I added fresh mushrooms and an extra can of broth. Thanks, Beth for a new household favorite.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Brianne! So happy that you like it!
alita
This is such a hearty winter favorite. I love that this recipe uses a lot of vegetables.
Jennifer Prince
This looks so delicious and hearty! My family would totally love it if I made this in the crockpot. So yummy!
Heather
It’s been way too long since I’ve had a good italian sausage soup. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Tracy Iglesias
I just bookmarked this one, I am definitely going to try making it. I love soup! Seeing this reminded me that I haven’t made any soup with sausage yet this winter and I better act fast as spring is soon approaching. Maybe I will make a bigger batch so I can freeze some to have in the freezer on days where I don’t want to cook.
Beth Pierce
That sounds like a great idea!
Talya Stone
I’ve never thought of using sausage in a soup but what a great idea! I’ll be sure to try this out on my family. Maybe this weekend even!
Vanessa Brown
I will be making this soup, excited because I love Italian sausages. As a matter of fact, I have made so many of her recipes and they all come out excellent. Makes me feel like “chef ala king” 🙂
Beth Pierce
That is so sweet! Thanks Vanessa! I hope you enjoy the soup!
Catalina
This soup is so rich and flavorful! My family went crazy over it!
Amanda
This was such a comforting dinner! I’ll be making it all winter.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
What a delicious recipe. I had a couple of great BIG bowls!
katerina @ diethood.com
I love how hearty and delicious this soup is! The flavors are incredible!
Erik
So many yummy ingredients in this soup. Perfect for those cold winter days!