Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed if needed)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta or other small pasta (uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Dairy Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, slightly warmed
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Garnish & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the sausage and onion: In a stock pot over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage and chopped onion until the sausage is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Be sure to break the sausage apart as it cooks. Once done, drain off any excess grease.
- Add garlic and simmer: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Then add the chicken broth, petite diced tomatoes, uncooked ditalini pasta, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer pasta until al dente: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 6-8 minutes until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite (al dente).
- Add creamy ingredients and season: Lower the heat to low and stir in the slightly warmed cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and heavy whipping cream. Mix well until all the cheeses have melted and the soup is creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with the chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy Parmesan Italian sausage soup.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the soup will be less creamy.
- Use turkey Italian sausage if you prefer a leaner meat option.
- Make sure to slightly warm the cream cheese before adding to prevent lumps in the soup.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop to maintain the creamy texture.
- Add extra veggies like spinach or zucchini for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian