Description
Hearty Italian sausage soup with parmesan brings comfort to winter dinners. Rich flavors and creamy texture make this dish perfect for cold nights you’ll savor with each warm spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Dairy:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Render the Italian sausage in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high heat until it develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Transfer the browned sausage to a separate plate, leaving behind the flavorful rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in the same pot, allowing them to become translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and return the cooked sausage to the pot, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 10 minutes, melding the flavors together.
- Introduce fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and integrate seamlessly into the soup’s texture.
- Reduce heat to low and gently incorporate heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese, creating a luxurious and velvety consistency.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion receives an equal distribution of sausage and vegetables. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Swap ground Italian sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner protein option that keeps the soup’s rich flavor profile.
- Enhance dairy-free needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, maintaining the soup’s creamy texture.
- Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using mild sausage for sensitive palates, allowing customization for different heat preferences.
- Boost vegetable content by adding extra greens like kale or Swiss chard alongside spinach, increasing nutritional value and creating more complex flavor layers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg