OK friends — this creamy Italian sausage soup is unbelievably good. Rich, comforting, and easy to make, it’s a weeknight favorite that’s perfect with garlic bread for dipping.
The soup is intended to be on the thinner side; if you prefer a heartier bowl, stir in pasta or rice near the end. For us, the balance of tomatoes, cream, cheese, and spinach was just right.
How to make creamy Italian sausage soup
All the steps are below. The spinach brightens the soup and balances the richness of the cream and cheese, and this recipe also works well for low-carb or keto diets if you skip the bread.
Start by heating a large soup pot over medium and adding the olive oil. Once hot, add one large diced onion with kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened.
Add 6–8 cloves of minced garlic and 1 pound of ground Italian sausage, then cook 6–7 minutes, breaking the sausage up with a spatula until browned.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and chicken base if using. Season with additional kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream and simmer another 10 minutes. The cream will reduce slightly and give the soup a silkier texture.
Finally, add a 10 oz bag of baby spinach and 1 cup each of shredded Parmesan and shredded mozzarella. The spinach will wilt down dramatically and the cheeses will melt into the broth, enriching the flavor and texture. Simmer about 10 more minutes, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve hot with garlic bread for dipping. If you follow a low-carb or keto plan, serve with toasted keto bread or enjoy it on its own.
Serve with garlic bread
Garlic bread is highly recommended for soaking up every last bit of this soup’s delicious broth. My family loved dunking—while I used toasted keto bread and enjoyed it just as much.
Here’s the ingredient and step-by-step recipe to make this at home.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
A flavorful, easy one-pot soup that’s perfect for dipping garlic bread.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- Kosher salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chicken base (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 (10 oz) bag baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: garlic bread for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the diced onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and the ground Italian sausage. Cook 6–7 minutes, breaking up the sausage as it browns.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and chicken base if using. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, bring back to a gentle simmer, and cook another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Fold in the chopped spinach, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Simmer 10 more minutes until the spinach is wilted and the cheeses have melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot with garlic bread for dipping if desired.
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