Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once it’s warm, add the Italian sausage (remove the casing if using sausage links) and break it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.

Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through. This will give the soup its rich, savory base.

Once browned, drain excess fat if needed, but leave a little for flavor!

In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if necessary, and toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery.

Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the veggies are softened and the onion is translucent. You’ll start to notice the aroma fill the kitchen—this is when the magic begins!

Next, add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!

Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes here if you like a bit of heat.

Add the chicken broth to the pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan—those are full of flavor!

Bring the broth to a simmer, and let it cook for about 10 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully. You’ll notice the broth starting to thicken just slightly.

Now for the best part! Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream. This adds that irresistible creamy texture that makes this soup so comforting.

Once the cream is fully mixed in, add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a velvety smooth texture. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the seasoning at this point—this is your chance to make it perfect!

If you’re adding spinach, stir it in now. The heat from the soup will wilt the spinach in just a few minutes, adding both color and nutrition.

Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes to ensure everything is well-combined and heated through. The flavors will continue to develop as the soup rests.

Taste one last time and adjust with more salt, pepper, or Parmesan if needed.

For an even heartier version, try serving this soup with a slice of crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping. The bread soaks up all that delicious broth, making every bite even more satisfying!