This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup uses up some pantry staples and one of my husband’s favorite meals- and the good news is its so easy, cheap and filling.
Price per serving: ~$1.60 (see breakdown below)
There are some recipes that just stick in your weekly rotation—not because they’re fancy, but because they check every box: cheap, easy, filling, and something everyone actually eats without complaining.
This creamy Italian sausage soup is one of those staples in our house.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
I adapted this recipe from an Instagram post a few years ago that I can’t find now. I changed a few things, mostly to keep it simple and use what I already have in my pantry most of the time.
And my whole family loves it—and that’s saying something!
Why This Soup Is a Staple for Us
- Uses cheap, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Comes together in about 30 minutes
- Feels comforting and hearty (without being complicated)
- Easy to stretch for a big family
- Reheats well for leftovers (which we always have)
If you’re trying to keep your grocery budget in check but still want meals that feel a little special, this one is a winner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 1½ cups small pasta (elbows, ditalini, small shells—whatever you have)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make This Easy Italian Sausage Soup
1. Brown the sausage
In a large pot over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbled. If there’s a lot of grease, drain a little off—but you can leave some for flavor.
2. Add garlic and seasoning
Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Let it cook for about a minute until it smells amazing.
3. Build the base
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with all the juices) and chicken broth. Bring everything to a boil.
4. Cook the pasta
Add your pasta and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes.
5. Make it creamy
Turn the heat down and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Then add the milk or cream and stir until smooth.
6. Finish with Parmesan
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Serve warm. By the way- this is great as leftovers or to make ahead of time. I promise it just gets better when it sits for a bit.
Real-Life Tips to Keep It Cheap & Easy
- Use whatever pasta you have — no need to buy anything special
- Swap broth for bouillon + water if that’s what’s in your pantry
- Toss in spinach or kale if you need to use it up
- Add a little extra pasta or broth to stretch it for more servings
- If your kids are picky, chop the sausage finer so it blends into the soup more
Cost Breakdown (Budget-Friendly!)
Here’s a rough estimate using typical grocery prices:
- Sausage (1lb): $5.00
- Pasta: $1.00
- Diced tomatoes: $1.20
- Chicken broth: $1.50
- Cream cheese (4oz): $1.50
- Milk/cream: $0.75
- Parmesan: $1.25
- Garlic + seasoning: $0.50
Total: ≈ $12.70
Cost per serving (about 8 servings): ~$1.60
Feeding a whole family a warm, hearty meal for under $2 a serving? That’s a win.
Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~18–20g
- Fat: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~20–25g
A Cozy Go-To Meal for Busy Days
This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again—not because it’s impressive, but because it’s dependable.
It’s simple. It’s affordable. It fills everyone up. And it makes the house smell really good while it’s cooking.
If you’re building a collection of go-to meals that make life easier, this creamy Italian sausage soup definitely deserves a spot.
If you try it, I’d love to know—did your family go back for seconds too?
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 1.5 cups small pasta elbows, ditalini, small shells—whatever you have
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp minced or granulated garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbled. If there’s a lot of grease, drain a little off—but you can leave some for flavor.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Let it cook for about a minute until it smells amazing.
- Build the base: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with all the juices) and chicken broth. Bring everything to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Add your pasta and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes.
- Make it creamy: Turn the heat down and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Then add the milk or cream and stir until smooth.
- Finish with Parmesan: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
