Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced or diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½–¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1–2 cups cooked chicken, Italian sausage, or white beans
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots (and celery, if using) until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese is fully melted.
- Stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked chicken, sausage, or beans if using, and let them warm through.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, use freshly grated Parmesan — pre-grated may not melt evenly.
- Don’t boil the soup after adding cream and cheese to avoid curdling.
- Add tortellini, gnocchi, or pasta for a heartier version.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, but avoid freezing due to cream separation.
- Reheat slowly over low heat, adding broth or milk if needed to thin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 65mg