Creamy Tomato Italian Style Soup

This is a wonderful creamy, hearty soup. Perfect for when you’re craving comfort food.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. Butter
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 large Onion, chopped
1 tsp. dried Thyme
2 tsp. dried Basil
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
2 – 28 oz. cans Diced Tomatoes
1 – 6 oz. can Tomato Paste
3 3/4 cups Chicken Broth, divided
4 Tbs. flour
1 tsp. Sugar
1 cup Heavy Cream
8 oz. Penne Pasta, cooked according to package directions
8 oz. Italian Style Bulk Pork Sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled (leave out for vegetarian option)
2 cups fresh Baby Spinach

Directions

Melt Butter in a 6 qt. Dutch Oven and add oil. Saute onions till transparent and add Thyme, Basil, Salt and Pepper. Add Tomatoes and Paste, simmer for 10 minutes. Blend together 5 Tbs. of Chicken Broth with Flour to make a paste, then add to soup. Add remaining chicken broth to soup. Simmer on low heat about 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning. While soup is simmering, prepare Pasta according to package directions, and fry Sausage, drain and set aside, keeping warm. After soup has simmered, puree with an immersion blender, or regular blender. Return to heat and add Sugar and Cream. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes (do not boil). Add the cooked Pasta and Sausage. Finally, add Baby Spinach, stir to incorporate and cover until Spinach has wilted. Makes 8-10 servings.