Creamy Sausage Parmesan Soup (Instant Pot!)

This Instant Pot Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup is pure comfort in a bowl, and it comes together incredibly fast thanks to the pressure cooker! It's a rich, creamy, and deeply savory soup featuring flavorful Italian sausage, tomatoes, cream cheese, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings. I love making this Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup because the Instant Pot makes it almost effortless, delivering slow-simmered taste in a fraction of the time. It's perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy meal on a cool spring evening!

Why You'll Love This Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup

• Instant Pot Easy: The pressure cooker makes this soup incredibly quick and simple to prepare.
• Rich and Creamy: Cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan create a luxuriously creamy and satisfying broth.
• Flavorful: Packed with savory Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
• Quick Comfort Food: Delivers deep, comforting flavors in under an hour.
• One-Pot Meal: Minimal cleanup since most cooking happens in the Instant Pot insert.

Ingredients for Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious and creamy soup. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Olive Oil (Oil) (Added based on instructions)
• Italian Sausage (Meat)
• Medium onion, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
• Garlic cloves, minced (or garlic powder) (Aromatic/Spice)
• Pureed tomato (Canned Tomato Product)
• Roma tomatoes, diced (or canned petite diced) (Vegetable)
• Cream cheese (Dairy)
• Chicken broth (low-sodium) (Liquid)
• Heavy cream (Dairy)
• Parmesan cheese (Dairy)

Seasoning & Garnish

• Italian seasoning (Spice Blend)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Fresh cracked black pepper (Spice)
• Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish) (Herb)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the rich flavor of this Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup, but here are some variations:

• Add Vegetables: Stir in some chopped spinach or kale at the end until wilted. Sauté mushrooms with the onions.
• Make it Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Different Sausage: Try turkey sausage or chicken sausage for a lighter option.
• Add Pasta: Stir in some cooked small pasta like ditalini or shells at the end.
• Different Cheese: Use Romano or Asiago cheese instead of Parmesan.

How to Make Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup

Let me show you how easy it is to make this Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup using the Instant Pot:

Sauté Sausage and Aromatics

1. First, I turn my Instant Pot to the "Sauté" mode. I let it warm up for a minute.
2. I add the olive oil and the thinly sliced onions. I cook until the onions start to soften slightly.
3. Next, I add the Italian sausage meat (casings removed if necessary). I use a spatula to break it up and cook until it's no longer pink, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn't stick to the insert.
4. I press the "CANCEL" button to stop the sauté mode. There's usually no need to drain fat from standard Italian sausage, but if using a higher fat sausage, you could drain some now if desired.

Add Ingredients and Pressure Cook

1. I add the pureed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, garlic powder (or minced garlic), salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, cubed cream cheese, and chicken broth to the pot.
2. I give everything a quick stir to mix it together.
3. I secure the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the steam release valve is set to the "SEALING" position.
4. I hit the "PRESSURE COOK" (or "Manual") button and set the timer for 5 minutes on high pressure.

Finish the Soup

1. When the pressure cooking time is done, I carefully perform a quick pressure release by moving the valve to the "Venting" position.
2. Once all the pressure has released and the pin drops, I carefully remove the lid. I press "CANCEL" to turn the Instant Pot heating element off.
3. I stir in the heavy cream and the grated Parmesan cheese into the hot soup until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
4. I taste the Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish
2. Serve immediately

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Creamy Sausage Soup

Here are my secrets for making this Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup truly exceptional:

• Brown the Sausage Well: Don't rush browning the sausage on sauté mode; developing those browned bits adds significant flavor.
• Soften Cream Cheese: While the Instant Pot will melt it, starting with slightly softened, cubed cream cheese helps it incorporate more smoothly and quickly at the end.
• Scrape the Bottom: When adding the broth, scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot insert well to ensure nothing is stuck, preventing potential burn warnings.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Melts much better and has superior flavor compared to pre-shredded in canisters.
• Add Cream Off Pressure: Stirring in the heavy cream and Parmesan after pressure cooking prevents curdling and ensures a smooth, creamy finish.

How to Serve

This Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup is a hearty meal in a bowl! Serve it hot, garnished with:

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Extra grated Parmesan cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

It's also fantastic served with:

• Crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping
• A simple side salad

Make Ahead and Storage

This soup is great for making ahead! Store leftovers 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, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling vigorously during reheating.  

FAQs about Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup

• Can I use a different type of sausage?
  • Yes! Mild Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or even chicken sausage would work well. Adjust seasonings if needed based on the sausage flavor.
• Can I make this on the stovetop?
  • Absolutely. Brown the sausage and sauté the onion/garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients (except cream and Parmesan), bring to a simmer, and cook covered for about 20-25 minutes, or until flavors meld. Stir in cream and Parmesan at the end over low heat.
• Can I freeze this soup?
  • Cream-based soups can sometimes separate or become slightly grainy upon thawing. While possible, the texture might not be exactly the same as fresh. If freezing, cool completely first and reheat very gently.

Enjoy this rich, creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup! It's perfect comfort food made fast in the Instant Pot.

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