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Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Is soup your jam in winter?

Through the fall and winter months, I like to make a big pot of soup at least once a week.  We'll have it for dinner and then for lunches until it is gone. 

Today's recipe for Spicy Italian Sausage Soup is one of those hearty soups that will be perfect with a piece of crusty bread for dipping.

Italian Sausage Soup to Spice Up Your Life

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Serving Spicy Italian Sausage Soup
Serve Up Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

This soup is a flavorful and hearty Italian-inspired dish that combines the rich flavors of sweet and hot Italian sausages with fresh vegetables like red pepper, celery, onion, potatoes, and kale. It's simmered in a savory chicken stock and seasoned with Italian herbs for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Why You'll Love This Italian Sausage Soup

Quick and Easy: This Spicy Italian Sausage Soup is made quickly on the stovetop.  

Versatile: Potatoes are yummy in this recipe but sometimes you can substitute pasta for the potatoes.  Any pasta you are in the mood for will work, even gnocchi or cheese tortellini.  That means you can change this recipe each time you make it and it will seem like a different soup.

Make Ahead: This soup will freeze well.  I like to use quart deli containers that I buy online for soup.  They are a perfect size.  Soup in the freezer is a good thing.

Flavorful:  You can control the spiciness by adjusting the ratio of sweet Italian sausage to hot Italian sausage.  I use half hot Italian sausage and half sweet Italian sausage and the soup has just the right amount of spice for my family. This soup packs a lot of flavor into one bowl.  That will keep your family coming back for more. 

Watch the Italian Sausage Soup Video


Tips for Sausage Soup Success

Buy loose Italian sausage in your local grocery store for easy preparation. It will eliminate the step of removing the sausage casing.

Half hot Italian sausage and half sweet Italian sausage works for me in the soup.  You may like more or less of either. 

Grating the garlic allows the garlic flavor to meld easily into the soup.

Remove the kale stems. Kale has some pretty tough stems.  You'll want to cut the leaves of the kale from the stems and discard the stems.  Cut the kale leaves into bite-size pieces.

Kale needs to cook. The kale will cook down and soften in the soup.  Let the soup simmer until the kale reaches the consistency you like.

Cook the pasta separately. If you prefer pasta to potatoes you may want to cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup just before you serve it.  Pasta will absorb much of the broth as it cooks leaving your soup too thick.  If this happens you can add some water or broth to the soup. 
A crock of Italian sausage soup sitting on a green placemat.

Make soup special. I love serving soup in single-serving soup bowls like these crocks.  These colorful single-serving bowls would also be fun for soup night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup with just one type of Italian sausage?
Absolutely! If you prefer a milder or spicier version, you can use only sweet or hot Italian sausage. Adjust the spice level to your liking.

Can I substitute any of the ingredients if I don't have them on hand?
While I recommend sticking to the listed ingredients for the best flavor, you can make some substitutions if necessary. You can use spinach instead of kale or even different types of potatoes. Feel free to adapt based on your preferences and what's in your pantry.

How spicy is this soup?
The level of spiciness depends on the hot Italian sausage you use. If you want it milder, opt for sweet Italian sausage or reduce the amount of hot Italian sausage. 

Can I freeze this soup for later use?
Yes, this Spicy Italian Sausage and Kale Soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then store it in airtight containers or freezer bags. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes?
Certainly! You can substitute fresh diced tomatoes for canned diced tomatoes. Use about 1 1/2 cups of fresh diced tomatoes for the best results.

What should I serve with this soup?
Spicy Italian Sausage and Kale Soup pairs well with crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple salad. It's a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it as an appetizer or starter for a larger Italian-themed dinner. You may want to try this Foccacia bread recipe or this honey oat bread recipe with your soup or try these parmesan garlic rolls.

The Spicy Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

winter soup, soup with kale, sausage soup
lunch, dinner, soup
American
Yield: 8 servings
Author: Donna Urso
Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

A hearty sausage and kale soup made with both sweet and hot Italian sausage.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. If using sausage links, split the casings and remove the sausage. Break the sausage into pieces and place them into the pot. Throw out the sausage casings. Cook the sausage until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Remove excess oil from the pan. You want about one tablespoon in the pot to cook the vegetables. Add the red pepper, celery, and onion to the pot and cook until soft, about five minutes.
  4. Grate the garlic into the pot and cook for one minute. Return the sausage to the pot. Add the tomatoes and chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for ten minutes.
  5. Add the potatoes and kale to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook for ten more minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and the kale is tender.
  6. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot.

Recommended Products

Soup Crocks
7-inch Santoku Knife
6 Quart Dutch Oven

Nutrition Facts

Calories

304.40

Fat (grams)

14.25 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

4.68 g

Carbs (grams)

27.36 g

Fiber (grams)

2.79 g

Net carbs

24.56 g

Sugar (grams)

5.93 g

Protein (grams)

17.12 g

Sodium (milligrams)

713.42 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

30.06 mg

Similar Recipes

Red Lentil and Sausage Soup

Classic Minestrone Soup

Warm Up with Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

https://www.justonedonna.com/2018/01/spicy-italian-sausage-soup.html
©Just One Donna
Check out more than two hundred soup recipes on my Soups Pinterest Board.

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Enjoy!

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