Skip to main content

Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Image
Donna Urso

Is Soup Your Jam in Winter?

There’s nothing like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to chase away the winter chill. For many of us, making a big pot of soup is a comforting tradition and a practical way to enjoy easy, flavorful meals throughout the week.

Today’s recipe for Spicy Italian Sausage and Kale Soup is sure to become a favorite in your rotation. Pair it with a slice of crusty bread, and you’ve got a satisfying meal to warm your heart and home.

Italian Sausage and Kale Soup 

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  
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. 

How to Make Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Watch the Italian Sausage Soup Video


Tips for Sausage Soup Success

1. Go Loose: Buy loose Italian sausage to skip the hassle of removing casings. Many grocery stores carry it in the meat department.

2. Adjust the Heat: Start with equal parts sweet and hot sausage, then tweak the ratio based on your family’s spice tolerance.

3. Perfect Garlic: Grating the garlic ensures it melds seamlessly into the broth, adding depth of flavor without overwhelming it.

4. Prep the Kale: Remove tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Let the soup simmer until the kale is tender and to your liking.

5. Mind the Pasta: If you opt for pasta instead of potatoes, cook it separately and add it to the soup just before serving. This prevents the pasta from soaking up too much broth.

6. Soup Presentation: Elevate your soup night with colorful single-serving soup bowls or classic crocks for an extra special touch.

A crock of Italian sausage soup sitting on a green placemat.

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.

 Before you go...Never miss a Just One Donna post by signing up to receive posts in your email or your favorite RSS feed.  Links are in the sidebar.


Enjoy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

The Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Donna Urso
Today's recipe will fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma and lots of smiles. It's homemade cinnamon swirl bread made with your bread machine Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread in Your Bread Machine  This post includes affiliate links. This recipe brings together the ease of your trusty bread machine with the deliciousness of a warm, sweet, and perfectly swirled cinnamon bread. Get ready for a slice of pure comfort!
Post a Comment
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you searching for the ultimate, classic New England whoopie pie recipe? Look no further! Whoopie pies are a beloved treat, a nostalgic dessert that evokes childhood memories and continues to delight today. My mom would make them for us every once in a while. Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies! This recipe, inspired by traditional Maine-style whoopie pies, comes from my family recipe box. It delivers soft, chocolatey cakes with a rich, creamy cooked filling – no marshmallow fluff needed! The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff This post includes affiliate links. Whoopie pies are essentially handheld cake sandwiches: soft, round, cake-like cookies embracing a luscious, creamy filling.  While their origin is debated, New Englanders proudly claim them as their own. This recipe focuses on the traditional Maine-style filling, a cooked flour and milk mixture that creates a uniquely satisfying t...
11 comments
Read more

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
17 comments
Read more

Cinnamon Raisin Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Donna Urso
Are you craving a warm, cozy treat perfect for fall mornings? Look no further than this delicious cinnamon raisin yeast bread. Baked in a bread machine , this recipe is incredibly easy to make and offers a classically delightful blend of flavors that's sure to satisfy.  Easy Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread This post contains affiliate links. Whether you're serving it as a comforting breakfast on a chilly morning or enjoying it as a sweet afternoon snack, this cinnamon raisin yeast bread is a versatile and delicious addition to your fall recipe rotation. Its soft, fluffy texture and warm, inviting aroma make it a favorite among both young and old. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades This post includes affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you use these links. When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
22 comments
Read more

Artisan Bread in Your Bread Machine

Donna Urso
Finally. Artisan Bread from Your Bread Machine Yes, Really. If you want to make artisan-style bread using your bread machine, the secret is simple: use the dough cycle, then bake the loaf in a preheated Dutch oven. This method gives you a crisp crust and chewy crumb without any hand kneading. If you use your bread machine regularly, you already know what it does well. It mixes, kneads, and handles the first rise beautifully. It is a dependable helper in the kitchen. What it does not do especially well is produce that deep golden, crackly crust we associate with artisan bread. The good news is you do not need to give up the ease of your bread machine to get that result. You simply need to change how the bread is baked. Today I’m showing you how to use your bread machine’s dough cycle and bake the loaf in a Dutch oven for a crusty, bakery-style result.
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bre...
2 comments
Read more

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Donna Urso
Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
Today I'm sharing my recipe for the cookie recipe that I think is the ultimate spice cookie, Gingersnaps. Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie and this recipe delivers! While you may love a gooey chocolate chip cookie occasionally substituting a spicy gingersnaps cookie or  this molasses cookie  will make your taste buds sing!  Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festiv...
11 comments
Read more

Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches

Donna Urso
Are you wondering how to make delicious finger sandwiches for a brunch, bridal shower, tea, or book club meeting?  One look at these calla lily tea sandwiches and you might think they are far too fussy for you to make for your special gathering.   Fear not! These calla lily tea sandwiches are adorable, tasty, and not too fussy once you get your assembly technique down. Best of all, these calla lily finger sandwiches make a beautiful presentation on your buffet table. Calla Lily Finger Sandwiches (This post includes affiliate links.) Calla Lily Tea Sandwiches If you are looking for finger sandwiches that are a little different you have found them here. These calla lily sandwiches are a perfect little bite to add to your party menu.  They are especially perfect for bridal shower teas.   No bridal showers in you...
Post a Comment
Read more