This Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup brings together the perfect blend of savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale in a creamy broth that’s both hearty and comforting. The addition of a touch of crushed red pepper gives it a subtle warmth, making it a go-to dish for those cold winter nights.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just enjoying a quiet night in, this soup is sure to hit the spot. The combination of flavors is rich and satisfying, yet it’s incredibly easy to make, with minimal ingredients and effort. Plus, it’s a fantastic make-ahead meal that tastes even better the next day!
Full Recipe:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add potatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the kale, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the kale wilts.
- Return the cooked sausage to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | Servings: 6
The Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup is a classic comfort food dish that delivers both rich flavors and a satisfying, hearty texture. Originating from simple, rustic roots, this soup combines ingredients that are easy to find and affordable, yet the result is a flavorful and wholesome meal that will appeal to all. It’s a wonderful recipe for cooler months when a warm, hearty bowl of soup is the perfect answer to cold weather cravings.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits:
- Italian Sausage: This adds a rich, savory flavor to the soup. You can choose spicy or mild sausage depending on your preference. Sausage is a great source of protein and helps make the soup more filling.
- Potatoes: They provide a creamy texture and balance the flavors of the sausage and kale. Potatoes are also rich in nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, making the soup both satisfying and nutritious.
- Kale: Known as a superfood, kale brings a slightly bitter contrast to the richness of the broth and sausage, adding both flavor and nutrition. Kale is high in vitamins A, C, and K and offers a good source of fiber.
- Heavy Cream: The addition of cream gives the soup a luxurious, velvety texture, balancing the spiciness of the sausage and the bitterness of the kale, making it irresistible.
- Chicken Broth: Using a flavorful broth as the base ties all the ingredients together. You can use homemade or store-bought broth, but make sure it’s a high-quality broth to bring out the best flavors in the dish.
Customizing the Soup:
- This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can make it your own by swapping out the Italian sausage for chicken sausage or even a plant-based sausage if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.
- To make it even healthier, you can use low-fat cream or substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Add more vegetables like carrots or celery for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- You can also make the soup spicier by adding extra red pepper flakes or milder by using sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy.
Perfect for Meal Prep:
This soup is a great choice for meal prepping because it stores well in the fridge and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Simply refrigerate the soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, just give it a stir and enjoy the same rich and hearty flavors.
Occasions to Serve This Soup: Whether you’re serving this soup for a casual family dinner, prepping meals for the week, or impressing guests at a winter gathering, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can fit any occasion. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a fresh green salad to round out the meal.
Origins and Inspirations:
This type of soup is commonly inspired by traditional Italian recipes, specifically the Zuppa Toscana, which is well-known for its creamy broth, hearty ingredients, and comforting nature. While this recipe has become popularized by restaurants like Olive Garden, the homemade version provides a much richer and fresher experience. The combination of sausage, potatoes, and kale is rooted in rustic, countryside cooking where farmers used what was readily available – hearty, robust ingredients that nourish and fill.
Variations of the Recipe:
One of the reasons this soup is so popular is because it’s adaptable to various dietary needs and preferences. Here are some ways you can modify the recipe:
- Vegetarian or Vegan Option:
- Swap the Italian sausage for plant-based sausage or use seasoned lentils or chickpeas for protein.
- Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and for the creaminess, opt for coconut milk or a plant-based cream.
- Adding extra vegetables like carrots, celery, or zucchini can enhance the flavor while keeping the soup hearty.
- Gluten-Free:
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you ensure that your sausage and broth do not contain hidden gluten. Always check labels, particularly for sausage and broth brands, which sometimes use gluten-containing additives.
- Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly:
- If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, consider swapping out the potatoes for a lower-carb vegetable like cauliflower. The texture is similar to potatoes, and it still absorbs the flavors of the soup beautifully.
- Spice Adjustments:
- For those who like a kick of heat, using spicy Italian sausage or increasing the red pepper flakes will bring an extra layer of warmth to the soup.
- On the other hand, if you prefer a milder taste, opt for sweet Italian sausage and reduce or eliminate the red pepper flakes.
Why This Soup is So Popular:
- Comforting and Filling: The combination of sausage and potatoes makes this soup extremely filling. It’s a meal on its own but can also be paired with some sides for a more complete dinner.
- Balanced Flavors: The saltiness from the sausage, the richness from the heavy cream, the slight bitterness from the kale, and the hearty starchiness from the potatoes come together in a harmonious blend.
- Perfect for Leftovers: This soup gets even better after sitting in the fridge for a day. The flavors meld together, and it reheats wonderfully, making it a great dish for busy weeknights when you want something easy to serve.
Health Benefits:
Although this soup feels indulgent, it offers several health benefits:
- Kale is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins like A, C, and K. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to support heart health.
- Potatoes, often underestimated, are rich in potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6. They’re great for supporting energy levels and digestive health.
- Sausage, while higher in fat, provides a good source of protein. You can opt for leaner sausage versions, such as turkey sausage, to reduce the fat content without losing flavor.
- Broth: Using a good-quality chicken broth enhances the taste and is also beneficial for hydration and providing essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Pro Tips for Making This Soup:
- Brown the Sausage First: Make sure to brown the sausage well before adding other ingredients. This step is crucial because it creates caramelization and flavor depth. Once browned, remove the sausage to drain off excess fat before adding the other ingredients.
- Perfect Potatoes: To ensure your potatoes cook evenly, cut them into uniform sizes. You can also add them directly to the broth and allow them to simmer just long enough to become tender, making sure they don’t overcook and turn mushy.
- Balance the Kale: Kale can be tough, so chopping it finely ensures it cooks evenly. If you’re not a fan of the bitterness that kale sometimes brings, you can massage the kale with a bit of olive oil and salt before adding it to the soup, which softens the leaves and reduces bitterness.
- Creamy Texture: If you want to make the soup even creamier but don’t want to use too much heavy cream, you can blend a portion of the potatoes and broth before adding the kale and sausage back into the soup. This will give the soup a thicker, creamier consistency without additional fat.
- Garnishing: Consider topping the soup with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra touch of flavor when serving. A drizzle of olive oil over the top can also add richness to each bowl.
Serving Suggestions:
This Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup pairs perfectly with a variety of sides:
- Crusty bread: Perfect for dipping into the soup’s creamy broth.
- Garlic bread: Adds a burst of flavor and texture to the meal.
- A simple green salad: Lighten the meal with a fresh salad, complementing the richness of the soup.
- Cheese biscuits: A cheesy biscuit can take this meal from comfort food to indulgent with minimal effort.
Conclusion:
The Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup is a comforting and versatile dish that brings together hearty ingredients and rich flavors. It’s easy to prepare, customizable to various dietary needs, and perfect for both family meals and leftovers. Whether you’re looking for a nourishing soup to warm you up on a chilly day or a delicious one-pot meal for any occasion, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.