Italian Sausage Soup (Printable)

Creamy sausage and potato soup with kale and bacon

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casings removed
02 - 4 slices bacon, chopped

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
06 - 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and chopped

→ Liquids

07 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion and cook until softened, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add sliced potatoes, chicken broth, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
05 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted and tender.
06 - Lower heat and pour in the heavy cream. Heat gently until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Do not allow to boil.
07 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of crispy bacon and tender sausage creates this incredible flavor foundation that store-bought soups can never quite achieve.
  • Its somehow both rustic and restaurant-quality, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Never boil the soup after adding the cream or youll end up with a slightly curdled texture instead of that silky smoothness were after.
  • Slicing rather than dicing the potatoes creates a more substantial bite and prevents them from dissolving completely into the broth.
03 -
  • Save a spoonful of the bacon fat after cooking and stir it back into the finished soup just before serving for an extra dimension of smoky richness that will have everyone asking for your secret.
  • Let the soup rest off heat for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and meld together properly.
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