CREAMY ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

Tis the season of comfort food. But not all comfort food is about dessert and drink pairings. To me, one of the best kinds of comfort food is cheesy pasta. The more cheese and sauce, the merrier I am. And my favorite part about creating pasta dishes is their simplicity – throwing together ingredients in a pot, letting them simmer, and voila, dinner is ready.Cheesy, pasta filled soup made with Italian sausage; is the perfect pairing for an easy weeknight dinner or holiday party

Ingredients

• 16 ounces mild Italian sausage
• 1/2 large yellow onion diced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 jar Barilla Marinara Sauce
• 1/2 lb Barilla Penne Pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups half and half, heavy cream or whole milk
• 2 14.5 ounce cans whole tomatoes
• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 3 cups shredded Gambilin Mozzerella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. In a large pot fill with 6 cups of water and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Once pasta is completely cooked, rinse with cold water and drain. Set pasta aside for later.
3. Using the same pot, heat 2 tablespoon olive oil. 
4. Once heated add sausage, onion and garlic; cook until sausage is completely cooked through.
5. Drain grease from sausage and set sausage aside. 
6. Place the same pot over medium-high heat and add chicken broth, whole tomatoes - squeezing the whole tomatoes with your hand so that it breaks them up as you are pouring them in the the pan, diced tomatoes, Barilla marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and heavy cream. Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. 
7. Add in sausage mixture, butter, 2 cups shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Simmer over medium heat for 10-15  minutes. Stir every few minutes so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
8. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining shredded Mozzarella cheese. 
9. Stir in the pasta and serve immediately.
10. I love to top the soup with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and Italian seasoning.

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