Creamy Basil Parmesan Italian Soup
Description
In under an hour you can have a super simple and perfectly seasoned soup on the dinner table. It makes a great, warm, satisfying lunch or dinner. Serve with a side salad and a crusty Italian bread.
Ingredients
1 lb. chicken breasts, chopped into bite size pieces
2 c. small macaroni, uncooked
3 T. olive oil, divided
3 T. butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. chopped celery
1 red bell pepper, chopped
4-6 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. flour
5 c. reduced sodium chicken stock/broth
2 - 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic, NOT drained
1 t. sugar
2 bay leaves
1 T. chicken bouillon
1 t. dried parsley or 1 T. fresh parsley
1/2 t. EACH dried oregano, cumin and salt
1/4 t. EACH red pepper flakes and black pepper
1/4 c. loosely packed fresh basil, chopped
2 c. heavy cream or half and half*
1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil
Directions
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Cook pasta in well salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions, about 7 minutes; drain; set aside.
While pasta is cooking, heat 1 T. olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat; add chicken; cook until almost cooked through. Transfer to a platter; set aside.
Melt butter with 1 T. olive oil in the same soup pot; heat over medium-high heat; add onions and carrots; cook, while stirring, for 4 minutes. Add 1 T. olive oil, celery, red bell peppers and garlic; cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour; cook, while stirring, for 3 minutes (it will be thick). Gradually stir in chicken stock followed by chicken, tomatoes, sugar, bay leaves and all remaining herbs/spices. Bring to a boil; cover; reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is completely cooked through.
Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth followed by heavy cream/half and half; stir in pasta. If wanting a less chunky soup, stir in additional stock/broth or cream/half and half. Remove and discard bay leaves.
Serve, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
6 servings.
*Soup will not be as creamy if using half and half, but it will still be delicious.