Hearty Sausage Soup

$To make hearty sausage soup, gather these key ingredients: - 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed - 1 medium onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 2 carrots, sliced - 2 sticks celery, chopped - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup kale, chopped - 1 medium potato, diced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) I often use Italian sausage for its rich flavor. You can pick spicy or sweet. If you prefer, you can use turkey sausage or chicken sausage for a lighter option. Each choice will change the soup's taste but keep it hearty. The classic mix of vegetables makes this soup special. I love the crunch of carrots and celery. Diced tomatoes add a nice tang. Fresh herbs like oregano and thyme bring all the flavors together. Feel free to mix in other veggies. Zucchini or bell peppers add nice textures. You could also include beans for added protein. Want a kick? Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce. This soup is all about personal taste! {{ingredient_image_1}} Cooking the sausage First, I heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. I add the Italian sausage, which I remove from its casing. I break up the sausage with a spoon as it cooks. I let it brown for about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds a great flavor base for the soup. Adding vegetables and simmering Next, I add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery into the pot. I sauté these vegetables for about 5 minutes. This softens them and brings out their sweet taste. After that, I stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, diced potato, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. I bring the soup to a boil. Once the soup boils, I lower the heat. I let it simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes. This makes the potatoes tender and lets the flavors meld. Final preparation and serving In the last step, I add the chopped kale to the pot. I simmer it for an extra 5 minutes until the kale wilts. Then, I taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. Finally, I serve it hot and garnish with fresh parsley. How to achieve the best flavor To make your soup pop, start with fresh ingredients. Use quality Italian sausage for depth. Browning the sausage adds nice flavor. Cook it until it’s golden. Sauté the onions and garlic next. This step brings a sweet taste to the dish. A good simmer helps all the flavors blend. Add herbs like oregano and thyme for aroma. Recommendations for ingredient modifications You can switch up the sausage if you like. Try chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter dish. Add beans for extra protein and fiber. You can use spinach instead of kale for a change. If you want a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes. For a creamy touch, stir in some heavy cream at the end. Ideal cooking equipment A large pot is best for this soup. A Dutch oven works well, too. It holds heat evenly and allows for great browning. A wooden spoon helps mix everything well. Use a lid to keep the heat in while it simmers. For easy serving, a ladle makes it simple to dish out. Pro Tips Choosing the Sausage: For a spicier kick, opt for hot Italian sausage. For a milder flavor, use sweet Italian sausage. Add More Veggies: You can incorporate additional vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini to enhance the nutritional value and flavor. Simmering Time: Letting the soup simmer longer allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, so don’t rush this step! Storage Tips: This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just remember to cool it completely before freezing. {{image_2}} You can change this soup to fit your needs. Here are some ideas: - Low-carb and keto-friendly adjustments: Use turkey sausage or chicken sausage instead of Italian sausage. Skip the potatoes and add more kale or zucchini. This keeps the soup filling without the carbs. - Vegetarian alternatives: Swap the sausage for plant-based sausage. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add beans for protein and keep the veggies like carrots and celery. You still get a hearty soup without meat. - Seasonal variations with different vegetables: Change the veggies based on what’s fresh. In spring, add peas and asparagus. In fall, try butternut squash and sweet potatoes. This makes the soup new and exciting with each season. Feel free to mix and match these ideas. Your soup can be a new dish every time! When you have leftover hearty sausage soup, you want to keep it fresh. First, let the soup cool down to room temperature before storing. This step helps prevent bacteria growth. For storing in the fridge, use an airtight container. The soup will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. To freeze, portion the soup into freezer-safe bags or containers. Leave some space at the top for expansion. The soup can last in the freezer for about 3 months. When you are ready to eat, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight. To reheat, warm it on the stove over low heat. Stir it often to keep it smooth. You can also microwave it, but stir halfway through to ensure even heating. To keep the soup's flavor and texture, avoid reheating multiple times. Each time you heat it up, the taste can change. Instead, only reheat the amount you plan to eat. These tips will help you enjoy every bowl of your hearty sausage soup! Can I use other types of sausage? Yes, you can use any sausage you like. Chicken, turkey, or even plant-based sausage work well. Each type will change the flavor a bit. Feel free to try different kinds to find your favorite. How long does the soup last in the fridge? Hearty sausage soup keeps well in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. What can I serve with hearty sausage soup? This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a fresh salad. You can also enjoy it with a side of cheese or garlic bread. These sides enhance the meal and make it even more satisfying. This blog post covered the essential ingredients for a hearty sausage soup, with a focus on sausage, veggies, and herbs. I shared clear, step-by-step cooking instructions to make it simple for you. Cooking tips will help you create the best flavor, while variations can match your diet. Effective storage methods keep your leftovers fresh for days. Remember, you can tweak the recipe to fit your taste. Enjoy making this comforting dish that warms the soul!$

A comforting and flavorful soup packed with Italian sausage, vegetables, and herbs.

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 sticks carrots, sliced
2 sticks celery, chopped
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup kale, chopped
1 medium potato, diced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
to taste salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Once the sausage is browned, add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), chicken broth, diced potato, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil.
After boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Add the chopped kale to the pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the kale is wilted.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Feel free to add other vegetables or beans for extra nutrition.

Keyword hearty, sausage, soup, vegetable