Italian Sausage Soup (Print Version)

Savory sausage, bacon, potatoes, and kale in a creamy, comforting broth perfect for chilly nights.

# 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - 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.
04 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until wilted.
05 - Lower heat and pour in the heavy cream. Heat gently until warmed through without boiling.
06 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from hungry to actually eating something that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The combination of crispy bacon, savory sausage, and cream creates this layered depth that feels restaurant-quality but completely achievable at home.
02 -
  • Don't add the cream to a boiling pot or it might separate and look curdled instead of silky—low heat and patience are what create that luxurious texture.
  • The potato thickness is actually crucial; too thin and they dissolve, too thick and they won't cook through in time.
03 -
  • Remove your sausage casings at home rather than buying pre-removed if you can; the texture is just slightly better and worth the thirty seconds it takes.
  • If your broth is on the salty side, taste before seasoning at the end—otherwise you'll overdo it without realizing.
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