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)
Directions:
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 and enjoy!