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Easy Creamy Sausage Soup - Cozy, Comforting, and Weeknight-Friendly

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot; pork or chicken)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using lean sausage)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced (optional but recommended)
  • 1 stalk celery, sliced (optional)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cups chopped kale or baby spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. If there’s excess fat, spoon it off, leaving about 1 tablespoon. If the sausage is lean, add a splash of olive oil.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion. Cook until softened and lightly golden, 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  3. Build the base: Add carrots and celery if using. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat the sausage and veggies with the spices.
  4. Add potatoes and broth: Stir in the diced potatoes and pour in the chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot—those add big flavor.
  5. Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Add the greens: Stir in the kale or spinach. Simmer another 2–3 minutes, until the greens are wilted and tender.
  7. Make it creamy: Lower the heat. Stir in the cream and Parmesan. Do not let it boil hard after adding dairy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if you like. Serve with crusty bread.