Spicy Italian Pesto Noodle Soup.
This Spicy Italian Pesto Noodle Soup is my go-to dinner on nights when I am craving Italian, but also want something warming. Spicy Italian chicken sausage simmered in a basil pesto broth with carrots, kale, a little lemon, and plenty of noodles. Finish each bowl off with a sprinkle of cheese and serve with crusty bread. It’s hearty, full of colorful veggies, and so delicious. Great for just about any night of the week. And the leftovers the next day, they make for the best lunch!
Happy Halloween!
I’ve been so exited for Halloween this year. Something about Halloween is just the best. It’s such a fun day of the year. I mean it’s pretty much expected that we go for all the candy, cookies, and pizza we like…no excuses necessary. Or at least that’s how I see it.
Except over here we’ll be swapping the pizza for soup. Because it’s cold and snowing here, and I just need a bowl of (cheesy) soup in my life. Not going to sugar coat it, my week has been hard. Monday just started off on the wrong foot. I don’t know If I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or what, but man oh man, it was not an easy day. You know those days when one thing goes wrong and then every other thing decides to go wrong with it? Well, that was my Monday. Just looking back on it makes me cringe.
All I have to say is that technology is the best…and technology is also the absolute worst. When technology fails you, it’s not fun. And that was a big part of why my Monday was so rough.
But it’s all ok. First world problems. Nothing major. Just a bad day. It happens.
My week is already back on track and I’m looking at the positive side of things. It’s Halloween, it’s snowing, Thanksgiving is coming, and the next two months are my favorite of the entire year. Focusing on all the good things…
Like this soup, which is very, very good.
Not sure if this recipe is really Halloween appropriate, but it’s pretty delicious any night you decide to make it. And I don’t know, coming home to a bowl of this tonight after trick-or-treating sounds pretty great to me. Thinking you should try it.
Here’s the deal. I’ve been on a real soup kick this fall. In the last two weeks alone I’ve made a coconut sweet potato lentil soup, a butternut squash soup, and a French inspired shallot soup. Today it’s Italian Noodle Soup, and next week?
Something pumpkiny, and perfect for Thanksgiving.
Sure, hope you guys like soup!
Right now though, let me tell you about this Italian Noodle Soup.
It’s a little spicy (but not overly so), full of vegetables (the good ones), has spicy chicken sausage, lots of noodles (mine are pumpkin shaped and I am so obsessed with them), and topped off with cheese (provolone to be exact).
It’s simple, it’s pretty quick, and it’s one of the better bowls of Italian soup that I’ve ever had. The secret? A parmesan rind, basil pesto, lemon, and cheese. Ok, and pasta – lots of pasta.
The parmesan rind and basil pesto add a salty, herby flavor to the broth. The lemon adds a nice zing of freshness. And the cheese and pasta? Well, those don’t need much explaining, they’re always good.
Whether you end up making this tonight, sometime this week, or even in the next couple of weeks, it’s sure to become a favorite. I’m loving serving this up on bitter cold nights like tonight, with a good loaf of crusty bread. Normally I’m either making chili or pizza on Halloween, but this soup is the perfect switch up!
PS. I feel bad for all the trick-or-treaters out in my town tonight. It’s SO cold and snowy…hoping it’s a little warmer for the rest of you! Have fun tonight!
If you make this soup please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Spicy Italian Pesto Noodle Soup
Spicy Italian chicken sausage simmered in a basil pesto broth with carrots, kale, a little lemon, and plenty of noodles. Finish each bowl off with a sprinkle of cheese and serve with crusty bread. It's hearty, full of colorful veggies, and so delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 2 small shallots, chopped
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- kosher salt and pepper
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1 parmesan rind (the end knob of the parmesan wedge)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, roughly chopped
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 1/2 cups shredded provolone cheese
Instructions
-
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken sausage and shallots, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the carrots, sage, thyme, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes. Add the broth, pesto, parmesan rind, and lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions.
3. Stir the kale into the soup, cooking another five minutes. Remove the parmesan rind. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
4. Divide the noodles among bowls and pour the soup overtop. Top each bowl off with cheese and allow the cheese to melt slightly. Enjoy!
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Maple Glazed Apple Pull-Apart Bread.
This looks absolutely stunning. This recipe is completely Halloween appropriate! It’s exactly what I want after walking around my neighborhood checking out everyone’s pumpkins and decorations! Absolutely cozy perfection. Have a great Halloween and enjoy the snow.
YES! I am so glad you like this and I hope you try it Debs! Thank you and I hope you had a Happy Halloween!
Wishing you a much better rest of the week always; and a very happy Halloween!
Thank you so much Liz! I hope you had a great Halloween as well!
sounds very good to me!! I love kale.
Thank you! I hope you try this one Ruth!
Uh, could you imagine this dish in a vegetarian version? Would love it!!
HI! You can just omit the sausage. Not a huge deal. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
It’s definitely going to be a chilly night here in Dublin (Ireland) for the trick or treaters bless them – all costumes will hopefully be layered underneath to provide a bit more heat! Having a bowl of this soup beforehand would also help I would imagine!! Love the shape of the pasta shells, I want to try these for sure!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Thank you so much Rebecca! I am so glad you’re loving this recipe and I hope you try it!
Hi! I’m just wondering what Photoshop you use. Also, was it easy to learn? I am a new blogger and not great with technology!
Hi Ally! I use Lightroom for my photos, but I make sure to take them in natural lighting. Once you start using it more it will be a breeze! I hope this helps, but please let me know if you have any other questions!
IDEAL FOR A COLD WINTERS NIGHT AND FULL OF GOODNESS, CHINA
YES! I am so glad you like this! Thank you China!
Thanks for to share
Thank you!
Where did you find those adorable noodles shaped like pumpkins? They make the soup look SO unique (and fun)!
Hi Marcia! They sell them at Trader Joes! I hope you love this!
In the Cincinnati area it’s pizza or chili on Halloween but this soup looks too tempting to pass up.
YES! I hope you try this and enjoy it Nancy! Thank you!
Missing the Parmesan rind from ingredients. Could one sub spinach for the kale? Loving today’s recipe posts – going to enjoy all of them. Thanks, as always.
HI! Parmesan rind has been added, thanks! Yes, you can use spinach. That will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
I really liked this post, keep up the good work.
Thank you!
This looks amazing!! I love soups, and this is so creative!! I know those days where everything seems to go wrong, and you feel like you’re in a cartoon or something. But food always makes things better. At least for me. But! One thing! Could you possibly provide metric (UK) measurements for your recipes? Converting is hard for me, because I’m not good with numbers, and I’d like to be as close as possible.
Hi Rae! Totally agree, food always makes it better haha! I am so glad you like this soup and I hope you try it! I will look into adding the metric measurements as well!
Looks so good. Pinned to try soon. Thanks!
I hope you love this! Thank you Rie!
I’m sorry to hear your week started out rough, Tieghan! Hopefully the rest of it goes better <3
Sounds delicious!! What if I swapped out sausage for regular chicken? Should I add more spice? Also, what’s your favorite pesto?
HI! You can use regular chicken with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. that will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
I really really want to make this. I love pesto and pasta and soup and the flavor sound just perfect. I’m not a big lover of italian sausage, but that can be easily substituted. I absolutely can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I hope you love this recipe, Danielle! Thank you!
Where did you find spicy Italian ground chicken sausage?
My local kroger grocery store and whole foods both carry it. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
Absolutely Wonderful!!! Will make again!
Thank you so much Marie!
Sounds delicious. Will definitely try it soon! How Necessary is the sage? Does that flavor stand out?
Hi! The sage is a nice flavor and does add to the soup, but you can omit if you’d like. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
This soup is amazing! Not too many ingredients and simple to make but the flavor is perfect! I’ve already sent this to my mom and girlfriends!
Thank you so much Britt! I am so glad this turned out well for you and thank you for sharing it! I hope your mom and friends love this as well!
I literally just finished making and eating this soup and it’s going on my favorite recipes list, It was so easy to make yet so flavorful, the hints of sage, thyme, lemon juice, parmesan, every spoonful was like the first one! Thank you for yet another amazing recipe!
I am so glad you loved this Nicole! Thank you!
This is one of the most delicious soups I’ve ever made! Warms you up but isn’t heavy. Moving this to the Tried and True box!
I am so glad this turned out perfectly for you! Thank you so much Laura!
Made this tonight and it was greatly enjoyed by the fam! It’s quick, easy, healthy and lots of flavor. I used turkey sausage and broth. Just delish! It will go into rotation for us. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Thank you for a great winter soup! Will post a photo on IG @pixiegoes2market.
I cant wait to check it out! Thank you so much!
I just made this, sitting down to enjoy a bowl. I forgot the pesto and added cannelloni beans. My kids are loving it!!
I am so glad they are liking this and I hope you loved it as well! Thank you Jamie!
Can not wait to make this tonight on this chilly day In Denver! Can you advise on how to cook the sausage? I’m nervous with the ground meat I won’t get good chunks like I see in your pics! Love your page btw! So so cozyyy
Hey Jen! I brown the sausage just like you would ground chicken or beef. Does that makes sense? You want to get the sausage crisp, then add ingredients as directed. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
Just had this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Perfect for a cool Canadian fall 🙂 Will definitely be adding this to my arsenal!
I am so glad you like this! Thank you Elaine!
This soup is really delicious! It definitely hit the spot on these chilly Indiana days. So far, I’ve loved ever recipe I’ve made of yours. Thank you!!
Thank you so much Ceceil! I am so glad you loved this soup!
I made this soup and it was delicious! Thanks?
Thank you Lela!
Made last night, by recommendation of my sister and will definitely be making again! Couldn’t find ground chicken Italian sausage, so I used sliced pre-cooked links of Italian sausage. A couple things I think I’ll change next time: use ground pork Italian sausage (the chicken one I used seemed almost too lean), add a little more broth, add some red pepper flakes for more spice! Overall, it was a hit and is a great way to use my frozen pesto from the garden over the winter!
I am so glad you both loved this Emmaline! Thank you so much!
Do you think it would work with ground beef? I don’t have any spicy chicken sausage!
If you enjoy ground beef then I am sure that would be fine. I recommend adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
This soup looks delicious! I have some chorizo sausage in the freezer; do you think this could work in place of the Italian sausage?
Hi! Chorizo is a more Mexican flavor, but I mean, I am sure it would be just fine! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
Dear Tieghan, this tasted gorgeous!! I took one sip of the broth and my eyes widened!! Will be making again and again.
Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us all. So many warm wishes for the holidays to you and yours.
xo
Georgina
Thank you so much Georgina! I am so glad you loved this soup!
Wow! This soup is pure perfection. It was easy to make with accessible ingredients. The taste was over the top delicious. Would love YOUR ideas on a simple bread to go with. We just used a take and bake and toasted with butter and Parmesan. I’m sure you have some ideas up your sleeve!!!
Wow thank you so much Della! I am so glad this recipe turned out amazing for you!
I made this soup tonight and it was delicious! This will definitely go in my rotation of favorites. My husband thought it was great too. Followed the recipe exactly except I forgot the lemon juice. It was still delish. 🙂
I am so glad it still turned out amazing! Thank you Swede!
Absolutely delish!!!!
Thank you Emily!
I love this recipe! I used homemade pasta pesto and yes, it does make a difference! Also for a healthy twist I skipped the pasta and used rice cauliflower from Trader Joe’s. My husband did not even notice,, I also manage an independent bookstore in Laguna’s Beach, CA and sell your cookbook often! Thank you for your amazing recipes
Hi Lisa! I am so glad you both loved this recipe, especially with a healthier twist! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Hi Dear, are you really visiting this web page daily, if sso then you will absolutely obtain good experience.
Thank you! xTieghan
Delicious. This is going to be a staple recipe in my kitchen from here on in!
I left out the pasta and added chickpeas and cannellini beans instead… and a tspn of chilli flakes for some extra heat.
Yum! So glad you loved this one! xTieghan
About to attempt timesing this recipe by six for a family reunion this weekend! So excited to share my favorite soup with family. Thank you!
Thank you Julie! So glad you loved this! xTieghan
I love this recipe! I’m making it for the second time today! I just wanted to ask if you mix in the pasta with the rest of the soup to store for left overs. Or do you have another trick so the pasta doesn’t soak up so much liquid? Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth! I always like to keep the pasta separate if I plan to store the soup for eating later. I just store the pasta in a glass container then add to the warm soup bowls individually before serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Made this soup this past weekend and I love it!! Really easy to make and reheats nicely – having it again for lunch today 🙂
So amazing! I am so glad this turned out so well for you Sophia! Thank you! xTieghan
I made your Chicken Meatball Coq au Vin for dinner Sunday (fabulour!). I doubled the meatball recipe and have a bunch leftover. Think I’ll sub them in this soup for the Italian sausage.
Yes! I am so glad you loved that recipe and I hope you love this one, Linda! Thank you! xTieghan
This is a great recipe!!
Delicious ?
Thank you Kathy! xTieghan
Delicious and easy soup that I will make over and over. The only changes I made were to add more kale and a small pinch of red pepper flake. Yummy!
Sounds delicious Michelle! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
This looks delicious! I plan on making it today as it’s a chilly fall day in Montana. I’m wondering if it could be made in a crock pot?
Hi Nikki! I am sure this would work so well in the crockpot. I would cook on low for 6-7 hours. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
The most delicious soup I’ve made! Flavors are perfectly balanced. It’s warming without beating to heavy and it’s great even when you warm it up. So yummy!
Thank you Pernilla! xTieghan
Hey, can I make this in the instant pot?
Hey Larra! I am sure that will be great! I would cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I just made this for my crew and it was a total hit! I decided to do a week of your recipes and everyone is happy, satisfied, and oddly on time for dinner 🙂
Haha that is amazing! I am really glad your family has been enjoying my recipes, Laura! Thank you! xTieghan
Can I simmer all ingredients in broth day with the dry noodles in to cook tjay way instead? Wanted to have the lovely fall smell in my apartment all day for a football Sunday!
Hey Sarah,
Yes that is okay to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was amazing! Adding pesto to soup broth is such an amazing idea. We used considerably less pasta (like 1/3 the amount) but otherwise followed the recipe exactly!
I am really happy this turned out so well for you, Caitlin! Thank you! xTieghan
One of the best most hearty soups I’ve ever made!! So good!
Thank you so much Amanda! xTieghan
Love this recipe!! Since we don’t eat meat I substituted Beyond Meat Brats for the sausage.. turned out so good!!
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you Brooke! xTieghan
This was absolutely AMAZING!! I had to make only 2 minor “tweaks” to ensure the happiness of my Italian boyfriend 😂
I added a can of White beans and switched out the Kale for Broccoli Rabe.
Thought I would have leftovers for lunch….thought wrong 🙄 The ENTIRE pot was emptied out. Fantastic recipe!! Keep up the great work 👍🏾
Hey Thomi,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan