Name: Marry Me Italian Sausage Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: ½ Cup Sun-dried Tomatoes (in oil); 1 Pound Mild or Spicy Italian Sausage; ½ White Onion (finely diced); 1 Red Bell Pepper (diced); 3 Cloves Garlic (minced); 6 Cups Chicken Broth; 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning; 1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes; 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt; ¾ Cup Dried Pasta of choice (I’m using gluten-free @giadzy pasta); ¾ Cup Heavy Cream (or coconut milk); 3 Cups Spinach; ⅓ Cup Fresh Basil (chopped); ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)

If you love cozy, creamy, flavor-packed soups that are secretly so easy to make, you’re going to fall for this one. This is my Marry Me Italian Sausage Soup — loaded with savory sausage, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, tender pasta, spinach, basil, and parmesan in a velvety, dreamy broth. The pasta cooks right in the pot, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day, date night, or any night you want something bold, comforting, and totally doable.

A bowl of lasagna soup with curly noodles, spinach, tomatoes, and ground meat, topped with grated cheese and fresh basil, sits on a pink surface beside a spoon and a plate of herbs.

Okay friends. This soup? It’s a soup you make once and then immediately want to tell someone else they have to make it too. It’s cozy and creamy, but not in a heavy, food-coma way. The Italian sausage gives it that rich, savory flavor, the sun-dried tomatoes add this slightly sweet pop, and the pasta cooks right in the pot so it soaks up everything (and limits those dishes!). It tastes like something you’d order at a cute little Italian spot… except you made it in 30 minutes and only dirtied one pot.

I originally made this thinking it would be fun for Valentine’s Day, but honestly? It’s just as perfect for any night you want something comforting and cozy. It’s low effort, high flavor, and the leftovers are elite. Add extra parmesan on top, obviously. Maybe a piece of crusty bread if you’re feeling it.

And if you’re really looking for that marriage proposal, try my other Marry Me recipes: Marry Me Dip, Marry Me Chickpeas, and One-Pan “Marry Me” Chicken Orzo.

A top-down view of ingredients for a pasta dish, including ground meat, uncooked pasta, spinach, chopped red bell pepper, onion, garlic, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, grated cheese, cream, broth, and seasonings on a counter. — To make this, you’ll need sun-dried tomatoes, Italian sausage, white onion, red bell pepper, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pasta, heavy cream, spinach, basil, and parmesan.

A pot of cooked ground meat with chopped red bell pepper and onion, stirred with a wooden spoon. Surrounding the pot are bowls of fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, raw pasta, and more chopped onions. — To make this, you’ll need sun-dried tomatoes, Italian sausage, white onion, red bell pepper, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pasta, heavy cream, spinach, basil, and parmesan.

What You Need to Make This Delicious Marry Me Soup

Sun-Dried Tomatoes (in oil): Sweet, tangy, and packed with concentrated tomato flavor. Using a couple tablespoons of the oil from the jar jumpstarts everything with instant richness.
Italian Sausage (mild or spicy): Savory, juicy, and loaded with seasoning, it gives the soup that bold, cozy Italian flavor. Go spicy if you like a little heat!
White Onion: Softens down and adds subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the sausage and cream.
Red Bell Pepper: Brings color, a gentle sweetness, and a fresh contrast to the savory elements.
Garlic: Freshly minced is the move. It adds depth and that irresistible aromatic punch.
Chicken Broth: The savory liquid that carries all the flavor throughout the soup. Bone broth works great too if you want it extra rich.

Italian Seasoning: A cozy blend of herbs that gives the soup its classic Italian feel.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a gentle kick and enhances the overall flavor of the soup.
Kosher Salt: Pulls everything together and makes every ingredient shine.
Dried Pasta: Cooks right in the soup, soaking up flavor while keeping this a true one-pot situation. Use any shape you love. You can also use gluten-free pasta — that’s what I did.
Heavy Cream or Coconut Milk: Creates that velvety, luxurious texture and softens the acidity from the tomatoes.
Fresh Spinach: Wilts into the soup for color, freshness, and a nourishing boost.
Fresh Basil: Bright, fragrant, and the perfect finishing touch.
Parmesan Cheese: Stirred in at the end for richness — plus extra on top because we are not shy.

A hand pours uncooked mafaldine pasta into a pot of tomato-based soup on a countertop, surrounded by bowls of spinach, herbs, red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings. — *Once simmering, add the dried pasta directly into the soup. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the pasta to cook for about 4–5 minutes.*

How to Make This Marry Me Italian Sausage Soup

To make this Marry Me Italian Sausage Soup, start by dicing the white onion and red bell pepper, mincing the garlic, and slicing the sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips.

Add 2 tablespoons of the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar to a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes, until mostly browned and cooked through.

Next, add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir well and sauté for about 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

A pot of lasagna soup topped with fresh spinach and herbs, with cream being poured in. Surrounding the pot are bowls of grated cheese, dried herbs, and fresh spinach leaves. — *Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk), fresh spinach, and chopped basil.*

A large pot of soup filled with curly pasta, spinach, diced tomatoes, and herbs. A ladle is scooping up a serving, showing the ingredients in a rich, savory broth. — *Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk), fresh spinach, and chopped basil.*

Once simmering, add the dried pasta directly into the soup. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the pasta to cook for about 4–5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk), fresh spinach, and chopped basil. Continue to cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the spinach has wilted and the pasta is al dente.

Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls, top with extra parmesan and fresh basil, and serve warm.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.