Creamy Italian-Style Beef Sausage and Broccoli Soup is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal that combines savory sausage, tender broccoli, creamy broth, and protein-rich chickpeas. Made without pork or alcohol, this soup delivers classic Italian-inspired flavors in a cozy, family-friendly way. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, cold evenings, or anytime you’re craving a creamy soup that feels indulgent yet balanced.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This soup is rich and creamy without being heavy, thanks to a balanced blend of broth and cream. Using beef or turkey Italian-style sausage adds bold flavor while keeping the recipe pork-free. Chickpeas make it filling and nutritious, broccoli adds freshness and texture, and everything comes together in one pot for easy cleanup. It’s comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

Creamy Italian Sausage and Broccoli Soup

Creamy Italian-Style Beef Sausage and Broccoli Soup is the ultimate comfort food when you want something warm, filling, and full of flavor. It brings together familiar Italian-inspired ingredients in a cozy soup format that’s easy to make at home.

Instead of traditional pork sausage, this recipe uses Italian-seasoned beef or turkey sausage, delivering the same savory depth while keeping it suitable for pork-free diets.

Broccoli adds freshness and a pop of color, balancing the richness of the creamy broth. The stems are sliced thin so nothing goes to waste, and they soften beautifully during cooking.

Chickpeas play a dual role in this soup. They add plant-based protein and a subtle nuttiness while helping thicken the broth slightly as they simmer.

Garlic, onion, and thyme create a fragrant base that infuses the soup with classic Italian-style flavor. These simple aromatics make a big difference in the final taste.

To replace white wine, a splash of chicken stock is used to deglaze the pot, keeping the soup alcohol-free while still enhancing flavor.

The cream ties everything together, creating a silky, comforting broth that feels indulgent without overwhelming the other ingredients.

This soup is ideal for busy weeknights because it comes together quickly and doesn’t require complicated steps or special equipment.

It’s also versatile—easy to adjust for thickness, spice level, or even dairy preferences with simple swaps.

If you’re looking for a cozy, creamy soup that’s family-friendly, pork-free, and packed with flavor, this Italian-style sausage and broccoli soup is a must-try.

Servings & Time

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Soup Base

• 3 spicy Italian-style beef or turkey sausages, casings removed

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 large onion, diced

• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

• Kosher salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Vegetables & Protein

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 32 ounces low-sodium chicken stock

• 1 small head broccoli, cut into small florets

• Broccoli stems sliced into ¼-inch pieces

Cream & Finish

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and brown the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until cooked through and lightly crispy. Remove and set aside.

2. Increase heat to medium-high and add olive oil, garlic, onion, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.

3. Add chickpeas and ¼ cup chicken stock to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits.

4. Pour in remaining chicken stock and heavy cream; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5–8 minutes.

5. Add broccoli and reserved sausage; simmer until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp, about 2–3 minutes.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, drizzle with olive oil, and serve hot.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use half-and-half for a lighter soup

• Swap broccoli for cauliflower or spinach

Make-Ahead

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

• Reheat gently to prevent cream separation

Serving Variations

• Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast

• Add red pepper flakes for extra heat

Avoid Mistakes

• Don’t overcook broccoli or it will lose color and texture

• Simmer gently after adding cream