Description
Hearty sausage parmesan cream cheese soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rich Italian flavors with creamy textures. Culinary enthusiasts will savor this satisfying meal that warms from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb (450 g) ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sausage Searing: In a large pot, brown sausage over medium-high heat, breaking into bite-sized fragments until caramelized and crisp, draining excess fat if needed.
- Aromatic Foundation: Add onions to the meat, sautéing until translucent, then introduce garlic and stir briefly to release its fragrant essence.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and tomatoes into the pot, sprinkling Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to marry flavors.
- Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat and incorporate cream cheese, whisking until smooth. Blend in heavy cream and Parmesan, creating a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Final Flourish: Fold spinach or kale into the soup, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate. Taste and adjust seasonings to perfect the flavor profile.
- Serving Elegance: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve alongside crusty bread or garlic toast for a complete meal.
Notes
- Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor; spicy varieties add extra kick and depth to the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Cream Cheese Technique: Soften cream cheese at room temperature before adding to prevent lumpy texture; cut into small cubes for smoother melting and faster integration.
- Spinach Timing is Critical: Add leafy greens during final minutes of cooking to maintain vibrant color and prevent overcooking; wilted leaves should remain tender and bright green.
- Fat Management Strategy: Drain excess sausage fat if needed to control soup’s richness; for lighter version, use lean turkey sausage or reduce total meat quantity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg