Hearty Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Cozy Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe for Autumn Nights

Comfort meets creativity in this delightful sausage and sweet potato soup that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors both rustic and refined.

Spicy Italian sausage mingles with creamy sweet potatoes, delivering a robust meal in every spoonful.

Robust vegetables add depth and nutrition to this simple yet elegant dish.

Seasonal produce makes this recipe shine with unexpected brightness and complexity.

Fragrant herbs and a touch of smoked paprika elevate the soup from ordinary to extraordinary.

Savor each bite and let this recipe become your new cold-weather companion.

What Makes Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup So Good

  • Savor Hearty Comfort: This soup delivers a warm, satisfying meal packed with rich flavors and nutritious ingredients that hug your taste buds.
  • Master Quick Cooking: Prepare a delicious one-pot wonder with minimal kitchen skills, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish in no time.
  • Boost Nutritional Power: Combine protein-packed sausage with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and kale, creating a balanced meal that supports your wellness goals.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adding different vegetables, or experimenting with spices to match your personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup

Proteins:
  • Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the soup.
Vegetables:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Provide a creamy texture and natural sweetness to the dish.
  • Onions, Garlic: Create a robust base flavor for the soup.
  • Kale: Adds nutritional value and a hearty green element to the recipe.
Liquids and Seasonings:
  • Chicken Broth: Serves as the liquid base that helps develop the soup's overall flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Helps to sautĂ© vegetables and prevent sticking.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the soup's taste.
Optional Garnishes:
  • Fresh Herbs, Sour Cream: Provide additional flavor and visual appeal to the finished soup.

How to Prepare Sausage Sweet Potato Soup

Step 1: Brown Savory Sausage

Grab your favorite sausage and cook it in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sizzle and brown the meat until it develops a delicious golden color and releases its rich, meaty flavors.

Once cooked, transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Onions and Garlic

In the same pot with those delectable sausage drippings, pour in some olive oil.

Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften until they become translucent and fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 3: Create Hearty Soup Base

Add these ingredients to the pot:
  • Diced sweet potatoes
  • Chicken broth
  • Dried thyme
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently.

Step 4: Simmer and Soften

Allow the sweet potatoes to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors. This should take around 20 minutes.

The potatoes will become soft and start to break down slightly, creating a wonderfully creamy texture.

Step 5: Add Nutrient-Packed Greens

Stir in fresh chopped kale and the previously cooked sausage.

Let everything mingle and warm through for another 5 minutes, allowing the kale to wilt and become tender.

Step 6: Serve with Style

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

For an extra touch of deliciousness, consider topping with:
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • A swirl of sour cream
  • Cracked black pepper

Enjoy your comforting and nutritious meal!

Tips for Flavorful Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup

  • Use high-quality sausage for maximum flavor depth and ensure it's fully browned before removing from the pot.
  • Choose fresh kale with crisp, deep green leaves to maintain nutritional value and prevent wilting during cooking.
  • Dice sweet potatoes uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Adjust chicken broth quantity based on desired soup thickness; add more liquid for a thinner consistency or reduce for a heartier meal.
  • Consider substituting kale with spinach or Swiss chard for different nutritional profiles and flavor variations.

Variations to Try with Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup

  • Vegetarian Version: Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled tempeh, using vegetable broth for a completely meat-free soup.
  • Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and swap kale for spinach to create a southwestern-inspired flavor profile.
  • Paleo-Friendly Option: Use compliant sausage without additives, eliminate broth, and replace with bone broth for a protein-rich, low-carb alternative.
  • Mediterranean Adaptation: Incorporate cannellini beans, use Italian-style chicken sausage, and top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil for Mediterranean flair.

Serving Suggestions for Sausage Sweet Potato Soup

  • Hearty Meal Companion: Pair this soup with crusty sourdough bread for dipping, soaking up all the rich, savory flavors and adding a delightful textural contrast.
  • Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve in deep ceramic mugs for a rustic, warming experience that feels like a comforting hug on a chilly evening, perfect for relaxing dinners.
  • Protein Power Boost: Top with crumbled feta cheese or toasted pumpkin seeds to enhance nutrition and add a delicious crunch that elevates the soup's overall taste profile.
  • Seasonal Celebration: Garnish with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or crispy bacon bits to bring extra depth and create a festive presentation that honors the seasonal ingredients.

How to Store Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Transfer soup to a clean, sealed container, ensuring no air pockets remain.
  • Cool the soup completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Keep sausage and kale pieces evenly distributed when storing.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with Italian sausage, chorizo, or turkey sausage depending on your preference and dietary needs.

  • Is this soup gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free chicken broth and ensure the sausage is gluten-free.

  • How nutritious is this soup?

It’s packed with protein from sausage, vitamins from sweet potatoes and kale, making it a nutrient-dense meal that supports immune health and provides essential minerals.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or add white beans for protein, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hearty Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Hearty Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty sausage and sweet potato soup blends Italian sausage with creamy root vegetables for a comforting meal. Warm spices and rich broth create a satisfying dish that nourishes and delights.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound sausage
  • 2 large sweet potatoes
  • 1 large onion
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups kale

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat until fully cooked and crumbly, then transfer to a separate plate.
  2. Using the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Add cubed sweet potatoes, chicken broth, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
  4. Raise heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low and cover.
  5. Simmer the soup for 18-22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes become tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
  6. Introduce chopped kale and previously cooked sausage into the pot, stirring gently to incorporate.
  7. Continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes, allowing kale to wilt and flavors to meld together.
  8. Remove from heat and let soup rest for 2-3 minutes before serving in warm bowls.
  9. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley, a swirl of cream, or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Enhance flavor by using spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of heat and depth.
  • Swap kale with spinach or Swiss chard if you prefer a milder leafy green texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free and use high-quality sausage without wheat fillers.
  • Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium chicken broth and selecting lean, minimally processed sausage varieties.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star