Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 cups onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground fennel
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 8 cups chicken broth or stock
• 2 cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 16 oz ditalini or other short pasta
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
• salt
• pepper
• fresh chopped parsley