CREAMY PARMESAN ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel (optional)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
8 ounces pasta such as ditalini (gluten-free for gluten-free)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
4 ounces cream cheese (warmed)
1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional)

Steps:

Cook the sausage and onion in a large saucepan until cooked, breaking the sausage apart as it cooks, before draining any excess grease.
Add the garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes, mix and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
Add the broth, tomatoes, pasta, and Italian seasoning, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the pasta is cooked, al-dente, about 6-8 minutes.
Add the parmesan, cream cheese, and cream, and let the cheeses melt into the soup, about 3-5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, mix in the parsley and enjoy!