Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

Ingredients

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)

Instructions:
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, 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