Description
Creamy Pizza Soup is a comforting and hearty meal that captures all the classic pizza flavors in a rich and creamy soup. Featuring Italian sausage, pepperoni, tomatoes, Italian seasonings, and a blend of cheeses, this soup is perfect for cozy nights and easy weeknight dinners. It can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings for added fun and flavor.
Ingredients
Meats
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes and Broth
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add pepperoni: Stir in the sliced pepperoni and cook for 1-2 minutes to release its flavors.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn.
- Add tomatoes and broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Season: Add Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook until vegetables are tender and flavors meld, about 20 minutes.
- Add cream and cream cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese, stirring until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy texture.
- Add cheeses: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and the soup is creamy.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as desired.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with additional shredded mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. Serve warm.
Notes
- Substitute Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or chicken for variation.
- Add olives, spinach, zucchini, or jalapeños for added flavor and texture.
- Use spicy sausage and pepperoni if you prefer a spicier soup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally; avoid boiling after adding dairy to prevent curdling.
- This soup can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; reheat gently before serving.
- Freezing is possible but may affect texture due to dairy; stir well when reheating.
- For a thicker soup, adjust cream cheese amount or add more shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American