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Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

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When the weather turns cooler, this easy Italian Sausage and Kale Soup is one of the first soups I make. 

It's hearty, flavorful, and simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

Made with Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, fire-roasted tomatoes, and chicken broth, this is a lighter, broth-based soup with all the savory flavor you want on a chilly evening. 

If you love the flavors of Zuppa Toscana but don't want a heavy, cream-based soup, you'll want to add this one to your fall dinner rotation.

Easy Italian Sausage and Kale Soup 

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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

Easy Weeknight Dinner: This soup comes together quickly on the stovetop, making it a great choice when you want a homemade dinner without a lot of fuss.

Hearty but Not Heavy: Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale make this soup satisfying, while the chicken broth keeps it lighter than a cream-based soup.

Control the Heat: Use a combination of hot and sweet Italian sausage to make the soup as mild or spicy as you like.

Flexible: Don't have kale? Spinach works, too. You can also change up the vegetables based on what you have available.

Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup keeps well and freezes beautifully, so it's worth making a big pot. I like to freeze individual portions in quart-size deli containers for an easy meal later.

How to Make Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

Brown the sausage. Cook the sweet and hot Italian sausage in a large Dutch oven until nicely browned. Remove it from the pot, leaving about a tablespoon of the flavorful sausage drippings behind.

Cook the vegetables. Add the onion, red pepper, and celery and cook until softened. Grate the garlic directly into the pot and cook briefly.

Build the soup. Return the sausage to the pot and add the diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer.

Add the potatoes and kale. Add the cubed potatoes and chopped kale and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the kale is cooked to your liking.

Finish and serve. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese and crusty bread if you like.

Watch the Italian Sausage Soup Video

Tips for Making Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

Use loose sausage: Buying loose Italian sausage saves you the step of removing the casings.

Control the heat: I like equal parts sweet and hot Italian sausage, but you can adjust the ratio to suit your family.

Grate the garlic: Grating the garlic helps it melt into the broth instead of leaving larger pieces of garlic throughout the soup.

Prep the kale: Remove the tough stems and cut the kale into bite-sized pieces.

Taste before serving: The amount of salt you need will depend on the sausage and chicken stock you use, so taste the soup at the end and adjust the seasoning.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use only sweet or hot Italian sausage?

Yes. Use all sweet sausage for a milder soup or all hot sausage if you prefer more heat. I like using a combination of the two.

Can I substitute spinach for kale?

Yes. Spinach can be substituted for the kale. Add it toward the end of cooking because it wilts much faster than kale.

Can I freeze Italian Sausage and Kale Soup?

Yes. Allow the soup to cool, then freeze it in airtight containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I use fresh tomatoes?

Yes, although canned diced tomatoes are convenient and provide consistent flavor. If substituting fresh tomatoes, use about 1½ cups diced tomatoes.


What should I serve with this soup?
Crusty bread, garlic rolls, or focaccia are all good choices. A simple salad also makes a nice accompaniment. 

You may want to try these:

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A pinterest pin featuring Sausage and Kale Soup.


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

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