Description
Hearty creamy Italian sausage soup brings robust flavors from classic Mediterranean ingredients. Spicy sausage, tender vegetables, and rich broth combine for a comforting meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 can (14.5 oz or 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 3 medium potatoes, diced (or substitute with 1 1/2 cups uncooked small pasta like ditalini)
- 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach (or kale)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil (for sauteing)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear the Italian sausage in a large pot with olive oil over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, caramelize onions until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional 60 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, incorporating diced tomatoes, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes. Introduce diced potatoes and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 15-18 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender.
- Gently pour heavy cream into the soup, creating a luxurious texture. Fold in fresh spinach or kale, allowing the greens to wilt and soften for 2-3 minutes.
- Reintegrate the reserved sausage into the soup, allowing flavors to meld together for an additional 4-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Accompany with crusty artisan bread for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Swap spicy Italian sausage with mild version for kid-friendly meal or lower heat preference.
- Choose ground turkey sausage as leaner protein alternative that keeps soup’s rich flavor profile.
- Vegetarian adaptation works perfectly by replacing sausage with plant-based crumbles or extra mushrooms for umami depth.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and controlling additional salt seasoning during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg