Rich & Hearty Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup (Keto, Instant Pot & Cozy!)

Rich & Hearty Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup (Keto, Instant Pot & Cozy!)

Cozy up with a bowl of this incredibly rich and satisfying Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup! Packed with savory Italian sausage, tender onions, and a luxurious creamy tomato base, it’s quickly made in the Instant Pot for a flavorful, low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free meal perfect for chilly evenings or a quick family dinner.

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes (plus pressure build/release time)

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive oil)
• ½ medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot, depending on preference; KETO NOTE: Check for no added sugar or fillers)
• 8 ounces (1 small can) tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium, no added sugar recommended)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Garnishes (Keto-Friendly):

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Extra grated Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes (for extra heat)

Equipment:

• Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Whisk (optional, for cream cheese)

Instructions:

1. Sauté Sausage & Onion: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode (Normal or Medium heat). Allow it to warm up for a minute.
   • Add the avocado oil and diced yellow onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is slightly soft and translucent.
   • Add the ground Italian sausage to the pot. Break it up with your spatula and cook until it is fully browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining.
   • Optional: Drain any excess grease from the cooked sausage. Hit CANCEL on the Instant Pot to turn off Sauté mode.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients (Before Pressure Cooking): Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot.
   • Add the softened cream cheese in dollops to the pot.
   • Give everything a quick stir to mix, but don’t worry about fully incorporating the cream cheese yet.
3. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot. Make sure the vent is set to the SEALING position.
   • Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) and set the cooking time to 5 minutes on HIGH pressure.
   • Allow the Instant Pot to build pressure (this will take 5-10 minutes).
4. Quick Release & Finish Soup: Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure by moving the vent to the VENTING position. Stand clear of the steam.
   • Once the float valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Hit CANCEL to turn off the Instant Pot.
   • Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk gently until the cream cheese is fully melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
   • Taste the soup and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper) if needed.
5. Serve: Divide the Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a little extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Sausage Choice: Ensure your Italian ground sausage is truly low-carb and free of added sugars or fillers. Read labels carefully.
• Soften Cream Cheese: Having the cream cheese softened makes it much easier to whisk into the soup for a smooth consistency.
• Deglaze: After browning the sausage, if there are any stuck bits, you can add a splash of chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to “deglaze” before adding other ingredients to prevent a “Burn” notice.
• Heavy Cream: Add the heavy cream after pressure cooking to prevent it from curdling under high heat/pressure.
• Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the sausage/onion mixture against the side of the pot or add a pinch of xanthan gum (start with ¼ teaspoon) and whisk well.

Storage: Store any leftover Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of broth or heavy cream when reheating to restore desired consistency.

Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification

• High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the Italian sausage and cheeses.
• Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. All ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates.
• Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
  • Italian Ground Sausage: Crucial to check labels for hidden sugars or fillers.
  • Chicken Broth: Ensure it’s low-sodium and no added sugars.
• Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

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