Creamy Bean Soup with Sausage - Serving Dumplings

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, no casings)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 small onion
• 3 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup puréed tomatoes
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 3 cans (360 g/13 oz) cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 ounces grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 8 tbsp red pesto (for serving)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp chili flakes (more for serving)