Let’s Gather Our Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Crusty bread, for serving
Why You’ll ADORE This Tuscan Soup Recipe
Okay, friend, let’s talk about why this Creamy Tuscan Soup is about to become a staple in your recipe rotation. First of all, it’s ridiculously flavorful. The combination of Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese creates a symphony of savory deliciousness that’s hard to beat. But beyond the taste, it’s also incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences – swap the sausage for ground turkey or chicken, add different vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
And let’s not forget about how easy it is to make! This is a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under an hour. Plus, it’s even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prepping. And speaking of easy dinner recipes, this soup is right up there with some of my favorites. If you are busy, you can easily adapt this to Dinner Recipes Crockpot Soup. Just brown the sausage first, then throw everything into the crockpot and let it simmer.
Plus, it’s naturally impressive! This soup is perfect for a cozy night in or for serving guests at a casual dinner party. It’s the kind of dish that everyone will rave about, and they’ll be amazed at how simple it is to make. It’s the perfect Party Soup to warm your guests hearts.
Step-by-Step: From Prep to Perfection
1. Sauté the Sausage
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink.
- Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside. Drain off any excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the pot.
2. Build the Flavor Base
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Simmer the Soup
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the cooked sausage to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the Parmesan cheese is salty, so go easy on the salt at first.
- Let the soup simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be!
4. Creamy Dreamy Finish
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
- Ladle the Creamy Tuscan Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all that delicious broth.
Troubleshooting Tips for Soup Success
Let’s be real, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. Here are a few potential hiccups you might encounter and how to fix them:- Soup is too thick: If your soup is too thick, simply add a little more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Soup is not creamy enough: If you want a richer, creamier soup, you can add an extra splash of heavy cream or even a dollop of mascarpone cheese.
- Soup is too bland: If the soup lacks flavor, add more salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese. You can also try adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Spinach is slimy: To prevent the spinach from becoming slimy, don’t overcook it. Add it at the very end and cook just until it wilts.
- Sausage is greasy: Be sure to drain off any excess grease from the sausage after browning it. You can also use a leaner sausage, such as turkey sausage, to reduce the amount of grease.
Variations to Make This Soup Your Own
One of the best things about this Creamy Tuscan Soup recipe is how easily it can be customized. Here are a few ideas to get you started:- Vegetarian Version: Omit the sausage and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. You can also add a can of cannellini beans for extra protein. For a Creamy Tuscan Chickpea Soup version, simply substitute chickpeas for the sausage and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Spicy Version: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.
- Different Greens: Substitute kale or Swiss chard for the spinach. Just be sure to cook them a little longer until they are tender.
- Add Potatoes: Add diced potatoes to the soup for a heartier meal. Yukon gold or red potatoes work well. For a similar vibe, but a totally different taste, you might also consider Outback Potato Soup.
- Pasta Power: Add cooked pasta to the soup for a more substantial meal. Small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo work well. Alternatively, you could try making Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
- Tuscan Parmesan Cream Soup: Boost that parmesean flavour by adding in a touch more.
What to Serve With Your Creamy Tuscan Soup
This Creamy Tuscan Soup is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when paired with the right accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions:- Crusty Bread: A must-have for dipping and soaking up all that delicious broth.
- Garlic Bread: Take your bread game to the next level with garlic bread.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A classic pairing that never disappoints.
- Parmesan Crisps: Add a crunchy element to your meal with homemade Parmesan crisps.
Storing and Reheating Your Tuscan Masterpiece
- Storing: Leftover Creamy Tuscan Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to stir it halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Freezing: While you *can* freeze this soup, the creamy texture may change slightly upon thawing. If you do freeze it, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Delicious Soup Recipes To Explore
If you’re a soup lover like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try. Here are a few more of my favorites:- Chicken Tortilla Soup: A zesty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening.
- Creamy Lasagna Soup: All the flavors of lasagna in a comforting soup form.
- Chicken Noodle Soup: A classic comfort food that’s perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather.
What are some variations I can make to the Creamy Tuscan Soup?
You can make a vegetarian version by omitting the sausage and adding more vegetables or cannellini beans. For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. You can also substitute kale or Swiss chard for the spinach, add diced potatoes, or add cooked pasta.
How should I store and reheat leftover Creamy Tuscan Soup?
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. While freezing is possible, the creamy texture may change upon thawing.
What if my Creamy Tuscan Soup is too thick?
If your soup is too thick, simply add a little more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I make this soup in a crockpot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a crockpot. Brown the sausage first, then add all the ingredients to the crockpot and let it simmer.
Creamy Tuscan Soup Easy
This Creamy Tuscan Soup is a flavorful and comforting dish, perfect for a weeknight meal. It features Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a creamy broth, offering a delightful taste of Tuscany in every spoonful.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle
- Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped optional garnish
- Crusty bread, for serving optional
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink.
- Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside. Drain off any excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the pot.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the cooked sausage to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the Parmesan cheese is salty, so go easy on the salt at first.
- Let the soup simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be!
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
- Ladle the Creamy Tuscan Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all that delicious broth.
Notes
For a richer, creamier soup, add an extra splash of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese. To prevent the spinach from becoming slimy, don’t overcook it; add it at the very end. Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences – swap the sausage for ground turkey or chicken, add different vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking. For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. You can also add a can of cannellini beans for extra protein.
