Creamy Parmesan beef Sausage Soup is a rich, comforting dish that brings together the classic flavors of Italian cuisine. The heartiness of sausage, combined with fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and creamy parmesan, makes this soup perfect for cool weather or any time you’re craving a hearty meal. This dish holds special significance as a beloved comfort food in Italian homes, where soups are often served as a first course or even as a main meal. Growing up, many remember family gatherings where such soups were made with love, bringing people together over the warmth of a shared meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Rich and creamy: The parmesan adds a deep, savory flavor that enhances the soup’s creaminess.
- Hearty and filling: Perfect as a meal on its own, this soup combines protein, vegetables, and a satisfying broth.
- Comforting: Ideal for cozy nights or as a wholesome meal after a busy day.
- Easy to customize: You can easily adapt it with your favorite vegetables or proteins to suit dietary needs.
- Great for leftovers: This soup reheats beautifully, making it a convenient make-ahead option.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Beef sausage: A flavorful sausage, adding depth to the soup.
- Turkey ham: For a lighter, smoky touch.
- Olive oil: Helps sauté the vegetables and adds richness to the broth.
- Onion: A must-have base for flavor, adding sweetness as it cooks.
- Garlic cloves: Infuse the soup with robust, aromatic flavor.
- Carrots: For a slight sweetness and a pop of color.
- Celery: Adds a refreshing crunch and balances the richness of the soup.
- Potatoes: Starchy potatoes make the soup heartier and thicken the broth.
- Chicken broth: The base of the soup, providing a flavorful and light background.
- Heavy cream: For the rich and creamy consistency that makes this soup comforting.
- Fresh spinach: Adds a healthy dose of greens, balancing out the creamy broth.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated, for a rich, salty, and savory flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A mix of dried herbs that bring out the Italian flavors in the soup.
- Salt and pepper: To season the soup to taste.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a slight kick of heat.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan beef Sausage Soup:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the sausage and turkey ham: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef sausage and turkey ham, cooking until browned. Break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Once cooked through, remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.
- Add the broth and potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine the vegetables with the liquid. Add in the diced potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Incorporate the meat and cream: Add the cooked beef sausage and turkey ham back into the pot. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add spinach and parmesan: Stir in the fresh spinach and grated parmesan cheese. Continue cooking until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts smoothly into the soup, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season and serve: Finally, taste the soup and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan or a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Cooking Tips:
- Don’t rush the sautéing: Let the vegetables cook slowly to develop a rich, sweet flavor as a base for the soup.
- Potato varieties: For a creamier texture, choose starchy potatoes like Russets. If you prefer a firmer texture, go for waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold.
- Balancing creaminess: If you prefer a lighter soup, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream and replace some with milk or a dairy-free alternative.
- Fresh herbs for garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil can add a burst of freshness to the final dish.
Helpful Tips:
- Substitute spinach: If you’re not a fan of spinach, kale or Swiss chard would be great substitutes and still add plenty of nutrition.
- Make it gluten-free: This soup is naturally gluten-free if you ensure your sausage and broth are free of any gluten-containing ingredients.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it an excellent meal to prep in advance.
Details:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Friendly
Notes:
- You can make this soup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When reheating, do so on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
- If you’re planning to freeze the soup, do so before adding the heavy cream. Add the cream when reheating to prevent it from separating.
Nutritional Information:
(Approximate per serving):
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes! You can replace the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based milk of your choice. Just be aware that the flavor will be slightly different.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to add zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms to this soup for extra flavor and nutrients. You can also try adding beans like cannellini beans for more texture.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Simply sauté the sausage, ham, and vegetables in a skillet, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, adding the spinach and parmesan during the last 30 minutes.
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring to ensure even heating.
- Freezer: You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze before adding the cream and spinach, then add them after thawing and reheating.
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Conclusion:
This Creamy Parmesan beef Sausage Soup is sure to become a family favorite with its hearty texture, rich flavors, and warming ingredients. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or prepping it ahead for a week of easy meals, this soup delivers on taste and comfort every time. Enjoy!
PrintCreamy Parmesan beef Sausage Soup
Description
Creamy Parmesan beef Sausage Soup is a rich, comforting dish that brings together the classic flavors of beef cuisine. The heartiness of sausage, combined with fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and creamy parmesan, makes this soup perfect for cool weather or any time you’re craving a hearty meal. This dish holds special significance as a beloved comfort food in beef homes, where soups are often served as a first course or even as a main meal. Growing up, many remember family gatherings where such soups were made with love, bringing people together over the warmth of a shared meal.
Ingredients
- Beef sausage: A flavorful sausage, adding depth to the soup.
- Turkey ham: For a lighter, smoky touch.
- Olive oil: Helps sauté the vegetables and adds richness to the broth.
- Onion: A must-have base for flavor, adding sweetness as it cooks.
- Garlic cloves: Infuse the soup with robust, aromatic flavor.
- Carrots: For a slight sweetness and a pop of color.
- Celery: Adds a refreshing crunch and balances the richness of the soup.
- Potatoes: Starchy potatoes make the soup heartier and thicken the broth.
- Chicken broth: The base of the soup, providing a flavorful and light background.
- Heavy cream: For the rich and creamy consistency that makes this soup comforting.
- Fresh spinach: Adds a healthy dose of greens, balancing out the creamy broth.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated, for a rich, salty, and savory flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A mix of dried herbs that bring out the Italian flavors in the soup.
- Salt and pepper: To season the soup to taste.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a slight kick of heat.
Instructions
- Prepare the sausage and turkey ham: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef sausage and turkey ham, cooking until browned. Break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Once cooked through, remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.
- Add the broth and potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine the vegetables with the liquid. Add in the diced potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Incorporate the meat and cream: Add the cooked lamb sausage and turkey ham back into the pot. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add spinach and parmesan: Stir in the fresh spinach and grated parmesan cheese. Continue cooking until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts smoothly into the soup, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season and serve: Finally, taste the soup and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan or a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Notes
- You can make this soup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When reheating, do so on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
- If you’re planning to freeze the soup, do so before adding the heavy cream. Add the cream when reheating to prevent it from separating.