If you are looking for a cozy, hearty, and absolutely delicious meal, this Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. This soup perfectly balances savory Italian sausage with tender potatoes and nutrient-packed kale, all simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Whether you’re coming in from the cold or just craving something comforting, this soup combines simple ingredients to create a truly unforgettable dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe plays a crucial role, whether it’s building flavor, adding texture, or contributing vibrant color. Using just a handful of staples, you’ll craft a soup that tastes like it simmered for hours, but with minimal effort.
- Italian sausage: Provides the savory, spicy backbone of the soup with rich flavor and a satisfying bite.
- Potatoes: Give the soup a hearty, creamy texture and absorb all those delicious spices.
- Kale: Adds a vibrant green color and nutritional punch, balancing the richness of the sausage and cream.
- Onion: Brings sweetness and depth when sautéed, setting the stage for the other flavors.
- Garlic: Offers a fragrant warmth that infuses into every spoonful.
- Chicken broth: Acts as the savory liquid base that ties all the ingredients together.
- Heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess, melding the flavors into a silky finish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing each component perfectly.
- Red pepper flakes: Introduce a mild kick that awakens the palate.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing, contributing richness and helping develop flavor layers.
- Dried thyme and rosemary: These herbs add subtle earthiness and fragrant notes that elevate the soup to something truly special.
- Water: Helps balance the broth for just the right consistency.
How to Make Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spoon as it sizzles. Cooking it until evenly browned and fully done brings out that juicy, savory depth that’s key to this soup’s heart and soul.
Step 2: Set the Sausage Aside and Prepare the Base
Once your sausage is perfectly browned, scoop it out and set it aside, but don’t clean out the pot just yet. The rendered fat left behind holds incredible flavor. Add olive oil and diced onions to this savory base, cooking until the onions soften and become translucent. Then, stir in minced garlic until fragrant, layering more aromatic goodness.
Step 3: Add Potatoes and Liquids
Next, toss in your diced potatoes and stir to coat them with the delicious onion-garlic-olive oil mix. After a few minutes, pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring everything together. This step starts building the soup’s comforting body and ensures potatoes soak up all those delicious flavors as they cook.
Step 4: Season and Simmer
This is where the herbs and spices shine. Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and rosemary. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, allowing time for those seasonings to infuse fully.
Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe Step 5: Add Kale and Finish
While the soup simmers, wash and chop your kale, removing tough stems. When the potatoes are soft, return the sausage to the pot and stir in the kale. Let the greens wilt and soften, then pour in the heavy cream, stirring until the soup becomes luxuriously creamy. Finally, taste and adjust seasoning before simmering for a few more minutes to marry all the flavors perfectly.
How to Serve Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes can transform your bowl into a feast for the eyes and palate. Try adding an extra handful of fresh kale on top for a pop of green, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese to amplify the rich flavors. A drizzle of good olive oil can also add a subtle fruity note that enhances the whole experience.
Side Dishes
This soup shines on its own, but pairing it with crusty bread or garlic toast makes the meal even more satisfying. A fresh, crisp side salad can also balance out the richness, making the dinner feel well-rounded and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this soup in rustic bowls for a cozy vibe or in mason jars for a charming, on-the-go lunch option. You can also top with toasted pumpkin seeds or a swirl of pesto to add unexpected flavor and texture contrasts that wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare because this soup disappears fast), store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next-day meal taste even better.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top to accommodate expansion. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat the soup on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to redistribute the cream evenly. If it’s too thick, add a bit of broth or water to reach your desired consistency without compromising flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap Italian sausage for bratwurst, chorizo, or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian twist. Just adjust seasoning to accommodate the sausage flavor.
Is kale the only green that works?
Nope! Swiss chard, spinach, or collard greens all work beautifully here. Just add them toward the end of cooking to keep their texture and color fresh.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, simply substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a cashew cream alternative to keep it rich and creamy while making it dairy-free.
How do I make the soup spicier?
Add extra red pepper flakes during cooking or top each bowl with a dash of hot sauce. You can also use spicy sausage varieties for a natural heat boost.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! This soup keeps really well for several days and tastes even better reheated, making it perfect for prepping ahead for busy weeknights.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got the full scoop on how to make and enjoy this soul-warming Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe, it’s time to get cooking. Trust me, one spoonful and you’ll understand why this dish has such a special place in my heart. It’s comfort, nutrition, and flavor all rolled into one unforgettable bowl—perfect for sharing with those you love or keeping all to yourself on a chilly day.
Print
Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 45m
- Total Time: 1h 0m
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This hearty Sausage Potato and Kale Soup combines savory Italian sausage with tender potatoes and nutritious kale in a creamy broth. Perfect for a comforting meal, this soup is packed with flavor from garlic, onions, herbs, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. It is easy to prepare on the stovetop and delivers a warming, satisfying dish ideal for cooler days.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Vegetables
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized cubes
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup water
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the pot: Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat to prepare for cooking the sausage and vegetables.
- Cook sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked through.
- Remove sausage: Transfer the cooked sausage to a bowl and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and dice the potatoes into small bite-sized cubes.
- Sauté onions: Add olive oil to the pot with the sausage fat, heat over medium. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in chicken broth and water. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, and rosemary. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer potatoes: Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare kale: While soup simmers, wash kale thoroughly, remove tough stems, and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Return sausage and add kale: Add the browned sausage back to the pot, then stir in the chopped kale. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the kale wilts and softens.
- Add cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated into the soup.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and add additional salt or pepper as needed to balance flavors.
- Simmer to finish: Let the soup simmer for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra kale or grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Using a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot helps distribute heat evenly for best cooking results.
- To reduce fat, choose a lean Italian sausage or remove excess fat after browning.
- Kale stems can be tough and fibrous, so be sure to remove them for better texture.
- This soup can be made a day ahead; flavors deepen with time and it reheats well.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the soup will be less rich.
