Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Meat

01 - 1 lb Italian sausage, mild or spicy

→ Produce

02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup fresh spinach or kale, optional

→ Liquids

05 - 3 cups chicken broth
06 - 2 cups water
07 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Pasta & Grains

08 - 1 cup ditalini pasta

→ Cheese & Dairy

09 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Oils

13 - Olive oil, as needed for cooking

# Instructions:

01 - Warm olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add Italian sausage, breaking it into pieces with a spoon, and cook until fully browned.
02 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and water, stirring to dissolve browned bits. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
04 - Incorporate ditalini pasta and Italian seasoning. Simmer until pasta is tender, approximately 10 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low, then stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the broth becomes creamy.
06 - If using, fold in spinach or kale and simmer briefly until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving hot.

# Notes:

01 - Avoid overcooking the pasta as it will continue absorbing liquid. Freshly grated Parmesan integrates smoothly. Adjust broth or cream quantity for preferred consistency. Add greens at the end to preserve texture.