Description
This Hearty Sausage & Kale Soup is a cozy and flavorful one-pot meal, perfect for fall and winter. Made with savory sausage, tender kale, and a rich broth, it’s easy to prepare and great for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb sausage (Italian or smoked)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 4 cups kale, chopped (stems removed)
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the sausage into rounds or crumble it if using ground sausage. Dice the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Mince the garlic and chop the kale, removing any tough stems.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and aromatic, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, then add the diced potatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Incorporate the Kale and Sausage: Return the cooked sausage to the pot and stir in the kale. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the kale is wilted and tender.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in heavy cream if using, and season with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning to taste.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm with crusty bread.
Notes
- Make it Dairy-Free: Skip the heavy cream or replace it with coconut milk for a creamy, dairy-free option.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute sausage with plant-based sausage or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
- Low-Carb Version: Replace potatoes with cauliflower or turnips for a lower-carb alternative.
- Extra Hearty: Add white beans or lentils for more fiber and protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: soup , dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Hearty soup, sausage and kale soup, fall soup recipe, easy one-pot meal, winter comfort food