Creamy Sicilian Sausage & Ditalini Soup

My Sicilian Pastina Soup became an internet sensation, so I knew I had to create another Sicilian signature soup that truly represents the flavors I grew up with—and this one might be even better.
This Creamy Sicilian Sausage & Ditalini Soup is absolute perfection. It’s rich, cozy, comforting, and layered with bold Italian flavor. From the slow-simmered vegetables and savory sausage to the tomatoes, cream, Parmesan, and pasta, this soup is truly all the flavors of Sicily in one pot.
I’m 100% Italian, and about 70% of my family comes from Sicily, so many of the flavors I cook with are rooted in that region. Simple ingredients, cooked slowly, seasoned thoughtfully, and brought together in a way that feels like home. This soup is exactly how I cook for my family.
I made this entire recipe in my favorite 6-quart matte Dutch oven, which I use for about 70% of my recipes. It goes from stovetop to oven, it’s incredibly versatile, and it’s surprisingly affordable—which is honestly wild for how much I use it. I’ll link it below so you can cook this soup exactly the way I do.
And if you loved my Sicilian Pastina Soup, this one is guaranteed to become your next favorite.















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👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
🤔 Common Questions
Yes! Ditalini is ideal, but small pasta shapes like tubetti, small shells, or orzo also work. Cooking time may vary slightly.
Absolutely. Swap the hot Italian sausage for sweet Italian sausage for a milder version.

Creamy Sicilian Sausage & Ditalini Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup diced carrots from whole carrots, not baby carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced red onion
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste (layered throughout)
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 pound hot pork Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 14-ounce can cherry tomatoes
- You can also use diced or grape tomatoes — the 14-ounce size is key
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes squeezed dry and chopped
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 32-ounce carton low-sodium chicken stock
- Water use the empty tomato can to measure
- 2 cups dry ditalini pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach chopped
- Shaved Parmesan for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Build the flavor base
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
- Add the carrots, celery, and red onion. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook slowly—this is not a stir-fry. Let the vegetables soften gently, stirring occasionally, for 10–15 minutes, until soft and translucent. This slow cooking is key to developing flavor.
Add aromatics
- Add the garlic and tomato paste. Stir and cook for 3–5 minutes over medium to medium-low heat, until fragrant and lightly golden. Season again lightly with salt and pepper.
Brown the sausage
- Add the hot Italian sausage to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break it up and cook until fully browned and cooked through, mixing it well with the vegetables.
Tomatoes & simmer
- Add the canned tomatoes to the pot. Use a handheld potato masher to gently mash the tomatoes until no large chunks remain.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning again lightly with salt and pepper.
Build the soup
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan rind.
- Fill the empty tomato can with water and add it to the pot. Then add the chicken stock and heavy cream. Stir well and bring everything to a rolling boil.
Cook the pasta in the soup
- Once boiling, season the soup generously with salt—just like you would pasta water.
- Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking.
Finish with spinach
- Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Stir in the chopped baby spinach until wilted and fully incorporated. As the pasta cooks, it releases starch, creating the most beautifully creamy texture.
Taste & serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot topped with shaved Parmesan and fresh parsley.
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