Delish Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb sweet Italian sausage

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

6 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 cups ditalini pasta

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

1. Brown the sausage.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the sweet Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon into small crumbles.

Once fully cooked, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave a bit of rendered fat in the pot for added flavor.

2. Sauté the aromatics.

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In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

3. Build the soup base.

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Cook the pasta.

Add the ditalini pasta directly into the boiling broth.

Cook according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

5. Add the cream and spinach.

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Stir in the heavy cream until the broth becomes rich and creamy.

Add the chopped spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until wilted.

6. Return the sausage and add Parmesan.

Return the browned sausage to the pot and stir well to combine.

Gradually add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and evenly distributed throughout the soup.

7. Taste and adjust.

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired for balance and heat.

8. Serve and garnish.

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

Top with additional grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness.

Serve immediately with crusty bread or garlic toast on the side for the ultimate comforting meal.