Italian Sausage Soup (Printable)

Rich, creamy soup with Italian sausage, bacon, potatoes, and kale—a hearty meal ready in under an hour.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb 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

# Directions:

01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - 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.
05 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted.
06 - Lower heat and pour in the heavy cream. Heat gently until warmed through; do not boil.
07 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of crispy bacon and Italian sausage creates this incredible flavor foundation that store-bought soups never quite capture.
  • You can adjust the spice level on the fly, making it perfect for serving to both your heat-seeking friends and more sensitive palates at the same table.
02 -
  • Adding the cream while the soup is boiling will cause it to break and separate, leaving you with an unappetizing texture.
  • Cutting the potatoes into even thickness matters more than perfect shape, ensuring they cook at the same rate and finish at the same time.
03 -
  • Take an extra minute to really caramelize the sausage, creating those crispy brown bits that add incredible depth to the final soup.
  • Reserve a little of the crispy bacon to sprinkle on top just before serving, providing a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy soup.
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