Hearty Creamy Italian Sausage Soup Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Steaming bowls of hearty Italian sausage soup warm the soul on chilly evenings, promising pure comfort in every spoonful.

Rich, robust flavors dance through this creamy recipe, blending traditional Italian seasonings with deeply satisfying ingredients.

Tender sausage chunks mingle with soft vegetables, creating a luxurious texture that feels like a culinary embrace.

Robust herbs and spices infuse each bite with authentic Mediterranean charm.

The soup simmers slowly, developing complex layers of taste that transport you straight to a rustic Italian kitchen.

Each serving delivers a hearty meal that fills stomachs and delights taste buds with its velvety smoothness.

Dive into this soul-warming dish and let its delicious magic chase away the winter chill.

Serving Creamy Italian Sausage Soup in Bowls or Cups

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice up a warm, crusty Italian or sourdough bread to dip into the creamy, rich soup. The bread will soak up all those delicious flavors and provide a satisfying crunch.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top of each bowl. The salty, nutty cheese will enhance the soup's savory profile and add a delightful texture.
• Green Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light, crisp side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette. The fresh, tangy salad will balance the soup's creamy and hearty nature, creating a well-rounded meal.
• Herb Garnish Finale: Chop some fresh parsley or basil and sprinkle it over the soup just before serving. These herbs will add a burst of color and a fresh, aromatic touch to the comforting dish.

Storage Tips for Creamy Italian Sausage Soup Leftovers

• Leftover Love Strategy: Store cooled soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated soup stays delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining its creamy texture and robust flavors.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Avoid adding dairy before freezing to prevent separation during thawing.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir frequently and add a splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency if needed. Microwave works in a pinch, but stovetop ensures more even heating.
• Batch Cooking Wisdom: Double the recipe and prepare extra servings for quick weeknight meals. Portion and label containers with date to track freshness and maximize meal prep efficiency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 469 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

• Italian Sausage: Delivers robust, hearty flavor with a spicy kick; choose fresh, high-quality sausage for best taste and texture.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich, savory liquid foundation; opt for low-sodium variety to control salt levels.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: Build deep, complex flavor layers; select firm, fresh vegetables without blemishes for maximum taste and nutrition.

• Butter, Flour: Work together to create a silky, luxurious roux that provides thickness and velvety texture to the soup.
• Half-and-Half: Introduces smooth, rich creaminess; ensures a luxurious mouthfeel and balanced consistency.
• Russet Potatoes: Adds hearty substance and natural thickening; choose firm potatoes without green spots or sprouts.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes tangy, umami depth; enhances overall flavor profile.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice element for heat lovers; adjust according to personal heat tolerance.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate and balance all ingredient flavors; adjust to personal preference.

Tools for Cooking Creamy Italian Sausage Soup Smoothly

• Large soup pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the entire soup.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, celery, and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly incorporating broth and preventing flour lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Paper towels: Useful for draining excess fat from cooked sausage.

Steps to Simmer Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

• Savory Sausage Base

Brown the Italian sausage in a large pot, breaking it into small pieces. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a touch of fat in the pot for extra flavor.

• Vegetable Foundation

Melt butter and sauté chopped onions and celery, creating a fragrant base that captures the essence of homestyle cooking.

• Flavor Building

Add minced garlic and a sprinkle of flour, stirring to create a rich, smooth foundation for the soup.

• Liquid Magic

Gently whisk in chicken broth, ensuring a silky smooth consistency that will transform the soup into a creamy delight.

• Ingredient Symphony

Combine half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, diced potatoes, and cooked sausage. Bring to a gentle boil, allowing flavors to dance and mingle.

• Simmering Perfection

Reduce heat and let the soup simmer with a partially covered lid. Cook until potatoes become tender and the soup reaches a luxurious thickness, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Final Touch

Taste and season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve piping hot, ready to warm hearts and satisfy hungry souls.

Flavor Upgrades for Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Sausage Selection Matters: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference. Removing the casings allows better flavor integration and smoother texture throughout the soup.
• Vegetable Swap Magic: Replace celery with carrots or add diced bell peppers for extra nutrition and color. Frozen mixed vegetables work great when fresh produce isn't available.
• Thickness Control Technique: For a thicker soup, mash some potatoes directly in the pot or add extra flour. Want it lighter? Simply increase the chicken broth quantity slightly.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Substitute half-and-half with unsweetened coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative. This creates a delicious lactose-free version without compromising rich flavor.
• Leftover Love: Store soup in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Gently reheat on stovetop, adding a splash of broth to restore original creamy consistency. Freezes wonderfully for up to 2 months when properly sealed.

Hearty Italian Sausage Soup

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty slow-cooker creamy Italian sausage soup delivers rich comfort and bold Mediterranean flavors. Home cooks can savor this one-pot meal that warms from first spoonful to last satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) half-and-half
• 16 oz (454 g) Italian sausage
• 4 cups (960 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• 1 lb (454 g) Russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter
• 6 tbsps flour
• ½ medium onion, chopped small
• 2 sticks celery, chopped small
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sausage Preparation: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and crumble Italian sausage, cooking until deeply golden-brown and uniformly broken into small pieces.
2. Fat Management: Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, draining excess fat on paper towels while preserving a thin layer of fat in the pot for subsequent cooking.
3. Vegetable Sautéing: Melt butter and add onions and celery, sautéing until translucent and aromatic, diligently scraping caramelized bits from the pot’s bottom.
4. Flavor Base Creation: Introduce minced garlic and flour, stirring continuously to eliminate raw flour taste and develop a smooth, flavor-rich foundation.
5. Liquid Integration: Gradually pour chicken broth while whisking consistently to prevent lumps, creating a silky liquid base for the soup.
6. Ingredient Harmonization: Add half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, diced potatoes, and reserved sausage, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil to blend flavors.
7. Simmering Process: Reduce heat, partially cover the pot, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes, stirring intermittently to ensure even potato tenderness and prevent scorching.
8. Final Seasoning: Carefully taste and adjust salt and pepper to balance the soup’s flavor profile.
9. Serving Presentation: Ladle the creamy soup into warm bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese for an enhanced culinary experience.

Notes

• Sausage Browning Technique: Cook sausage on medium-high heat, breaking into small, uniform pieces to develop deep golden-brown color and maximize flavor complexity.
• Fat Management Tip: Reserve a thin layer of sausage fat in the pot for enhanced taste foundation and better vegetable sautéing.
• Flour Cooking Hack: Continuously stir flour with vegetables to eliminate raw taste and create smooth, flavor-rich base without lumps.
• Potato Cooking Wisdom: Simmer soup partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure even potato tenderness without breaking down potato structure.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 469
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg