Creamy Basil Parmesan Italian Soup

By PineyCook

Creamy basil Parmesan soup with chicken, pasta and veggies is a full meal! Serve with some good crusty rolls and dinner is ready!

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breasts, chopped bite size
• 2 cups uncooked small macaroni
• 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 5 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with garlic, NOT drained
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley, or 1 tablespoon fresh
• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil, chopped
• Dash to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream or half and half
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven/soup pot over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until almost cooked through. Remove to a plate.

Melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the now empty pot and heat over medium high heat. Add onions and carrots and cook, while stirring, for 4 minutes.

Add 1 more tablespoon olive oil, celery, red bell peppers and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour and cook, while stirring, for 3 minutes (it will be thick). Gradually stir in chicken stock followed by tomatoes, sugar, bay leaves and all remaining herbs and spices. Bring to a boil; cover, and 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 you would like a less “chunky” soup, stir in additional broth or cream/half and half.

Garnish individual servings with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil (optional) and season with salt and pepper to taste.